Enough is Enough on fires
EMERGENCY SERVICES COMBINE TO CRACK DOWN ON ARSON ATTACKS
Emergency services and councillors have joined forces to tackle the growing problem of arson attacks.
The Enough Is Enough campaign, aimed at tackling deliberate fires on the coast, has been launched by County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS), Durham Constabulary and Durham County Council, as part of National Arson Awareness Week.
Durham’s east coast area has seen a sharp increase of incidents of arson over the past four years, with deliberate fires that damage people’s property rising by 127% and grass and rubbish fires increasing by 63%.
The areas seeing the biggest rise are Horden, Shotton Colliery and Easington.
Chiefs say this has resulted in extensive damage, not only to residents’ cars and homes, but also to the local area.
The campaign will see firefighters, police and council staff out in the areas affected talking to residents in a bid to reduce the number of incidents.
Assistant chief fire officer at the fire service, Dominic Brown, said: “We’ve deliberately launched the campaign to coincide with National Arson Awareness Week and the lead-up to the Easter holidays, when traditionally we see a spike in deliberate fires.
“If our firefighters continue to deal with this volume of deliberate fires, it may delay their response to genuine emergencies.
“This campaign is about harnessing the strong community spirit in these areas and letting residents know we are here to work with them to tackle these issues.
“Our message is clear, the community and the authorities have had enough, and this has to stop.”