But parents urged to remind youths of dangers
JONATHAN GEDDES
Fire bosses have welcomed figures showing blazes in South Lanarkshire dropped by nearly a quarter last spring.
However, they have vowed that they will not be complacent this year, and appealed to parents and carers to ensure youths in the area are aware of the dangers of fire raising.
Firefighters in the region were called to a total of 183 incidents of deliberate fire-raising between March and April 2020, just as the coronavirus lockdown began.
That is a decrease of 22 per cent on the year before, when SFRS crews in the area turned out to 234 needless blazes during the same period.
Area Commander Alan Fairbairn, the local Senior Officer for South Lanarkshire said: “While any reduction in the number of deliberate fires is welcomed, we simply cannot be complacent.
“Deliberate fires have the potential to cause injury and even death or cause devastating damage to our environment and properties.
“One deliberate fire is one too many – they are a needless drain on emergency service resources at a difficult time.”
Nationally firefighters were mobilised to a total of 2,491 incidents of deliberate fire-raising between March and April 2020 compared to 3,658 incidents in 2019 – a 32 per cent reduction.
Most reported fires took place outdoors and were set in either grassland or rubbish and refuse.
However, some incidents also included vehicles and even buildings.
The figures were released as the Service launched its annual Spring Safety campaign.
LSO Fairbairn added: “Last year we saw restrictions put in place on social movement, and this year is no different as we continue to tackle this pandemic.
“As well as limits on how far people can travel, we also know that schools, clubs and community groups are affected or unable to open due to Covid-19 restrictions.
“Our firefighters and community action teams have been and will continue to work extremely hard to engage with the public and promote safety messages. But as we cannot conduct school visits or engage with young people directly through clubs and groups, I would ask parents, guardians and carers to help by making sure that children and young people are aware of the risks and consequences of deliberate fire setting.
“It is vital that we continue to remind people that deliberate fire setting is a crime and a criminal record can affect future life and job opportunities – a price that can be easily avoided.”
Anyone with information about deliberate fire-raising should contact the free and confidential Crimestoppers helpline on 0800 555 111.