Summer fire setters targeted!
Warwickshire County Council’s Fire & Rescue in partnership with Warwickshire Police have been working together to combat the issues around anti-social behaviour and deliberate Fire Setting.
Following a successful pilot in October and November last year, the two emergency services have committed resources to work at peak times tackling anti social behaviour and fire setting throughout the summer break.
The aim of the project is to give a visual presence in those areas, which are suffering from ASB and deliberate fire setting. The team is made up from two Police Community Support Officers and a Fire Officer. The team attend any small fire and talk with those people involved.
Arson Reduction Manager, Ian Tonner, based at Nuneaton Police Station said:
“The initiative of working in partnership has enabled the team to have a broad range of skills, the fire officers explain to those involved the dangers and consequences of setting the fires and the PCSO’s discuss the criminal charges that such a deliberate act carries, this along with the patrolling of the area to engage with the youths prior to setting a fire has helped to enforce that as emergency Services we do not and will not tolerate such acts of criminal activity!”
Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Commander CI Michael Naughton said “This project is an excellent example of how partners can work together to help protect our communities from harm. The Arson Task Force enables a more focused approach to fire setting, arson and nuisance behaviour, this along with better links to funding across our partner groups and local Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership’s we hope will help us to see a marked improvement in these areas."
The team will be working throughout the summer holidays, which historically has seen an increase in anti social fire crime.
Ian continued: “ As well as engaging with the young people involved we have also added another form of deterrent in the form of easy to deploy CCTV units and helmet Cameras. Both can be deployed in five minutes and start recording form the moment they are put up. The cameras will be used in areas where anti social fire crime has been identified and any evidence gained will be viewed to see how it can be utilised. Images could then be used in the local press to help identify anybody directly involved.