Police are desperate to track down bin fire yob

Blazes could spread to nearby properties, warn cops

A teenage yob who maliciously torched four household bins in the same street is being hunted by police.

The hooded firebug set bins alight at properties in Kintyre Avenue, Linwood, in the early hours of Friday morning.

Cops revealed the lout wearing a black-hooded top with white writing was seen prowling the area as he targeted the wheelie bins adjacent to family homes.

Detectives in Paisley are keen to trace the suspect before his dangerous actions potentially lead to a tragedy with fire spreading.

The yob targeted the bins between 3.50am and 4.30am by dropping a light into them as he wandered along the street.

Cops have scrutinised CCTV images of the suspect and are appealing for help in catching him.

Detective Inspector Ross MacDonald said: “He may think what he is doing is not dangerous.

“But it is. These fires are not just a nuisance.

“They have the potential to spread to properties and they divert resources away from life- threatening incidents.

“The suspect male is aged between 14 and 16.

“He was wearing a black hooded top which has white writing on it.

“He set fire to bins at houses ranging at numbers 113 to 350 at Kintyre Avenue in Linwood as he walked along the street.

“We are urging anyone who saw him or may know his identity to contact police.”

The yob was seen fleeing the area on foot at around 4.30am, at time of the last incident, as cops were heading to the scene.

Anyone with details is asked to ring police in Paisley on their 101 non-emergency contact number.

Alternatively those with information can contact CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 where anonymity can be maintained.

A recent report to the Police, Fire and Rescue Board at Renfrewshire Council revealed there were 200 deliberate ‘secondary’ fires in the period April to June this year.

However, bosses have been educating youngsters about wilful fire-setting including the impact of front-line emergency crews attending secondary fires, and not being available for lifethreatening emergencies.

They have the potential to spread to properties and they divert resources away from life-threatening incidents Ross MacDonald