Tory plea for action as fire-raising rises

The Scottish Conservatives yesterday called for tough punishments for arsonists after it emerged the increase in fire incidents was fuelled by deliberate fire-raising.

Last week Auditor General Caroline Gardner said the number of fires in Scotland had increased 3% in 2016-17, up to 27,240.

Intentional car fires rose by nearly a fifth to 909 last year.

The incidence of deliberate secondary fires went up by 7%.

The report said the figures “reflect an increase in deliberate fires”.

Liam Kerr MSP, the Scottish Conservative shadow justice secretary praised the fire service for its work and slammed those who are deliberately making it more difficult.

He said: “Great progress has been made over the years in fire safety, and that’s something the fire brigade should be commended for.

“So it’s incredibly annoying that selfish and dangerous individuals are putting increasing strain on firefighters with their reckless actions.

“The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has a hard enough job without these people creating work for them, and putting lives at risk in the process.

“We need the authorities to back up the fire brigade, and ensure that when people are found guilty of deliberately starting these fires, they feel the full force of the law.

“We must leave people considering this behaviour in no doubt whatsoever this will not be tolerated.”

The increase in fire incidents comes at a time of unprecedented pressure for Scotland’s Fire and Rescue Service.

It was reported last week the service faces a near £400 million maintenance backlog which, auditors warned, would cause more fire engines to break down en route to emergencies.

Liam Kerr praised service.