Number of fire-raising attacks in Angus hits three-year high.

SPENDING: Kirstene Hair says Scottish Fire and Rescue Service should be given more cash

Angus fire-raising attacks are at a threeyear high, prompting calls for more support to be given to firefighters.

The county witnessed 145 cases of fires being started deliberately in the year to April, compared to 103 in 2016-17 and 117 the year before.

The new figures, obtained by the Scottish Conservatives, have led to Angus MP Kirstene Hair condemning those who put lives – including their own – at risk.

She also criticised the Scottish Government and said there should be adequate funding in place to handle an “unpalatable” increase, prompting a response pointing towards a £15.5 million Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) increase in spending capacity this year.

Ms Hair has previously spoken out about fire-raising at a key Angus troublespot – the former Strathmartine Hospital on the outskirts of Dundee – and said the difficult summer had exposed stretched resources across the UK.

“It is an individual’s responsibility to think before they commit a crime that could end someone’s life, perhaps their

The SNP government was recently given a tax break which must be spent on supporting our emergency services.

KIRSTENE HAIR MP

own,” she said. “The recent hot and dry conditions experienced across the UK means SFRS already have enough to do without this increase in malicious fires.”

The MP continued: “The SNP government was recently given a tax break which must be spent on supporting our emergency services.

“Earlier this year, my colleagues and I successfully negotiated the end of an SNP policy for Scottish Fire and Rescue to pay VAT to the treasury.

“This should raise £10m a year, which is enough to pay for 350 extra firefighters.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “This year the Scottish Government increased the spending capacity of SFRS by £15.5 million.

“Much progress has been made through fire reform, passed by Parliament, and SFRS service transformation plans will see it do more to meet new and emerging risks and in keeping Scotland’s communities safe.

“As a national service, SFRS is able to seamlessly draw on resources and specialist reserves from across Scotland to deal with incidents and to provide business-as-usual cover.”

Less than two months ago, it was revealed that firefighters have spent more than 31 hours in total battling blazes at the derelict Strathmartine site in the past five years, which remains a magnet for firebugs.

Crews were called out 60 times in as many months to the former hospital, which has been closed since 2003 but has yet to be redeveloped.

The figures included 20 deliberate fires, two accidental fires and 38 false alarms – adding up to a combined 43 hours.

Picture: Kris Miller. The former Strathmartine Hospital on the outskirts of Dundee. Firefighters have been called out 60 times in the past five years to deal with incidents.