An initiative's launched to combat haystack fires in Rutland and Leicestershire
It follows a number of suspected cases of arson in the region
A major initiative has been launched in the Rutland and Leicestershire region to address haystack fires. It follows a number of suspected cases of arson in the region.
Each fire can cost emergency services around ÂŁ150,000 to attend as well as having a huge financial impact for the farmer.
Now an arson task force has been set up ready to respond to any haystack incidents as well as providing education including advice on how farmers can reduce the risks.
Leicestershire Police has joined forces with Northamptonshire Police’s Rural Crime Team and fire and rescue service for the initiative.
Operation Clock has been set up to coincide with the harvest season which last year saw six arson attacks in Northamptonshire and a further four in Leicestershire, which had a significant impact on farming and rural communities.
Through education and enforcement, the operation aims to prevent deliberate hay and straw stack fires as well as provide a joint approach to investigating suspected arsons.
Sergeant Paul Archer of Leicestershire’s Rural Policing Team said:
“Without hay, a farmer cannot feed their animals. Not only is it devastating to a farmer, it can also have very significant financial implications – a haystack can be worth more than £40,000 so it can have a huge impact on farmers.
“To set fire to something which has taken a year to grow and harvest is pointless and puts lives and livelihoods at risk. We need the community to come together and tell us what they know. If you see any people or vehicles acting suspiciously, please tell us.”
Andy Evans, from Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue Service and the co-ordinator of the Arson Task Force, said:
“The setting of deliberate fires needlessly puts both members of the public and our firefighters at risk of harm. It also needlessly diverts our resources away from other incidents where lives could be in danger.
“Setting haystacks on fire can have a massive impact on rural businesses and communities, and we will ensure we do everything we can to prevent these kinds of incidents in the first place.
“We would strongly urge people to think of the impact their actions may have, and our police colleagues will thoroughly investigate any incidents of this kind that do take place.”
Sanjay Bulsara, Station Manager Fire Protection at Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, added:
“Not only do haystack fires cost farming businesses thousands of pounds, they also cause huge disruption to rural communities.
“What might look like a small fire has the potential to spread very easily and become major fires very quickly. These fires put our crews at risk and could also delay our ability to respond to another emergency.
“We will continue to work hard to prevent these incidents from taking place, and we encourage farming communities to take steps to protect their property from arson attacks.”