No arrests have been made over a major fire at Sandown's Ocean Hotel, Hampshire Constabulary has confirmed.

The force has also admitted it did not have enough police officers to send them to the hotel last month, on April 30, when a break-in was reported by concerned Islanders.

Shortly before Saturday's fire (May 8), which involved ten fire appliances and scores of firefighters, police officers stopped three youths at the location.

The force says they are assisting police with their enquiries, but are not under arrest.

An investigation is underway into what caused the fire, which involved crews from Sandown, Shanklin, Ryde, Newport, Ventnor, East Cowes and Cowes and which tore through four floors and the building's roof.

Appeal

Hampshire Constabulary said: "The exact cause of the fire has not been established at this time, and enquiries remain ongoing.

"Anyone with information to assist us, or perhaps who has any Dash Cam footage or CCTV from the area, is encouraged to call police on 101, quoting 44210177386.

"Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their anonymous online form at crimestoppers-uk.org."

The derelict hotel building has been affected by ongoing issues of break-ins and vandalism and police have told the County Press that they are aware of the problems.

Hampshire Constabulary says it is working with the owner of the site, to address the security of the premises.

No units to send

However, on April 30, it received reports of youths trespassing at the site and behaving anti-socially.

Hampshire Constabulary told the County Press that it did not have enough police officers to send them to the hotel on that occasion, because "all units were committed with high priority incidents".

Calls made to the police control room are risk-assessed before police officers are sent out and factors taken into account include whether a crime is on-going, or if there is an immediate threat to life, it said.