The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Fire-raising on rise in city
There has been an increasing number of deliberate secondary fires across Perth and Kinross. The majority have been in Perth – particularly Perth City North.
A fire chief this week moved to assure councillors the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has taken action to address the issue.
The increase was reported to Perth and Kinross Council’s housing and communities committee.
The latest SFRS quarterly report for April 1 to June 30 2021 reported the number of deliberate primary fires (eight) being equal against the average.
But the number of deliberate secondary fires increased to 45 incidents against a three-year average of 29. Secondary fires are mainly small outdoor fires not involving people or property.
Most of the incidents were in Perth City North and Perth City Centre.
In Perth City North there were five refuse fires and seven grassland fires – “all relatively small.”
In his report area manager Stephen Wood said having identified a spike the SFRS engaged with schools and increased warden patrols in specific areas.
He added: “During the last few months we have continued to work with partners to reduce the number of all deliberate fire incidents albeit the current pandemic has limited these activities.
“This proactive approach, particularly around youth engagement, endeavours to reduce the number of deliberate fires, particularly secondary fires, as part of a wider youth awareness education initiative. These included working with local schools to reduce this type of unacceptable, antisocial behaviour.”
Perth City Centre Liberal Democrat councillor Peter Barrett asked if there were plans for more early intervention work with schools ahead of the hot summer season to avoid a similar spike next year.
Group commander Ewan Baird told the committee it was always part of their action plans to undertake this awareness of secondary fires.
He assured councillor Barrett they had taken cognisance of this and will do that in future years if they are anticipating a warmer summer.
Perth City North councillor Ian Massie said: “I’m concerned that 12 out of 45 deliberate fires were in my ward.”
Area manager Stephen Wood said this issue was not confined to Perth and Kinross.
He said: “Across the country we have seen a 30 per cent increase over that period in deliberate fire setting.”
He said they had run some successful pilots in Dundee with “good collaborative working with police colleagues” leading – he believed – to prosecutions and wardens engaging with parents. He added: “I fully expect we will be able to replicate that in Perth and Kinross as we move forward and moving into the bonfire period.”