Bedfordshire Fire and Police join forces to keep local farms safe
They've partnered to produce and distribute a fire safety guide to the agricultural community
Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service have joined forces with Bedfordshire Police’s Rural Crime Team to produce and distribute a fire safety guide to the agricultural community across Bedfordshire.
Farms are particularly vulnerable to arson due to their often isolated locations, extensive open boundaries and the presence of readily ignitable hay and straw.
Whilst these vulnerabilities make it difficult to eliminate arson attacks on farms there are a number of measures that can be put in place to reduce that risk as outlined below.
The guidance document, produced by the fire service’s Kempston Green Watch team, provides the rural community with advice on how to reduce their risk of becoming a victim of either an accidental or deliberate fire.
Specific information has been brought together for issues like derelict buildings and securing entry to farms.
Other things covered are storing dangerous materials and litter disposal.
Jamie Martin, Watch Manager for Kempston Green Watch said:
“With over 900 agricultural properties within Bedfordshire, the crew felt this was a valuable project and spent time gathering figures from our own incident recording and statistics produced by the National Farmers Union (NFU).
“At this time of year, the number of fires we attend involving agricultural property and equipment rises. We know from incidents in the past that in addition to the loss of income that fire poses to the farming community there is also the loss of vital equipment that often can’t be replaced in time for when it is needed. We hope that this prevention advice will prove useful and protect local farmers and their livelihoods.”
PC Grant Hayes, from the Bedfordshire Police Rural Crime Team, said:
“Bedfordshire Police and the Fire and Rescue Service work hand in hand to protect our rural communities. Together, with support from the Kempston Green Watch, we are able to help and prevent fires which threaten the safety and livelihoods of our residents.
“Partnership approach is so important in dealing with the issues which plight our rural communities and we are looking forward to working with the watch in the future.”
This project is supported by Bedfordia Farms Group.
Farms are particularly vulnerable to arson due to their often isolated locations, extensive open boundaries and the presence of readily ignitable hay and straw.
Whilst these vulnerabilities make it difficult to eliminate arson attacks on farms there are a number of measures that can be put in place to reduce that risk as outlined below.