Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue encouraging arson awareness

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue are encouraging people to report suspected arson.

As part of Arson Awareness Month, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue are asking locals to understand the issues and how to report them.

Arson incidents account for nearly half of all call our for fire services across the country.

David Lynch, Area Community Safety Officer for the fire service, explains the main issues they face:

"Arson is very serious thing for the fire service, it costs a lot of money, its a drain on resources and is something we like to put out prevention information.

"We want to reduce the amount of incidents we go out to not only for the economic costs but also the danger to life.

"The majority of deliberate fires we go out to are ones we classify as outdoor fires, so rubbish, wheely bins, loose refuse items.

"We do see more serious cases though where it might be related to domestic violence or gang crime where residential homes are targeted."

However, another issue surrounding arson call outs is deliberate fires in buildings, as David explains:

"We have been seen a rise in derelict and vacant buildings being targeted and we are seeing more places like on the high street being empty.

"It would be hard to say but there is a danger that an outcome of the pandemic is as people struggle financially or for other reasons businesses and homes more buildings will be left empty for some time.

"That does pose a risk of them being subject to antisocial behaviour and potentially being a target for arsonists."

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue have shared some advice so people can avoid their home, business or other property becoming a target for an arsonist:

• Only put rubbish out on the designated collection day and keep bins away from the walls of your property, ideally in a secure environment.
• Fly tipping is great fuel for arsonists - so always dispose of your rubbish responsibly and make arrangements for combustible materials to be taken to a tip by a trustworthy source and DON'T leave any in front of your property.
• Don't let rubbish build up outside your property or allow bins to become too full and don't put skips close to your property, arrange for them to be emptied or removed before they become too full. You should contact your local council about disposal of bulky items.

Andy Martin, is a Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service's Arson Reduction Officer:

"If you see anyone setting a fire deliberately, 'don't accept it, report it'. Use 999 for the Fire Service if lives or property are at risk. Anti-social behaviour is often a precursor to arson. Report it and any information on arson to the Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111"