Central Hunter Police have apprehended four people believed to have set wooding seating alight in a grandstand at Rutherford overnight.

Police officers responded to a 3:30AM callout to Max McMahon Oval where they allegedly caught the 2 males and 2 females in the act.

Three of the alleged perpetrators are aged in the 20st whilst the fourth is a minor.

The group of 4 tried to justify their actions by insisting they set the seating on fire so it could act as a heat source, whilst 2 of the group members were said to resist the officers as they were being arrested.

The 3 adults are set to be charged with malicious damage.