Michael Temlett
Wheelie bin fires are costing taxpayers £226,000 a year.
The eye-watering total was revealed by North Lanarkshire Council as staff joined forces with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in a bid to tackle the blazes.
With 113 bins in Wishaw being set on fire last year, the cost in man hours between the council, police and fire crews – as well as residents who have to pay for a new bin – is £2000 per bin.
That means the public are being forced to fork out £226,000 in the wake of the mindless acts of vandalism and Bob Burgess, Wishaw convener of the Local Area Partnership, said: “Wheelie bin fires not only cause disruption to our services but – more importantly – cost the public money.
“Deliberate fires on bins are an issue for Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service as well as North Lanarkshire Council.
“The cost of these fires throughout Wishaw alone costs an estimated £1.8million.
“This is down to the man hours as well as the use of the aforementioned services on top of the costs to the public to replace the bins.
“Should your bin be lost or stolen a charge will be applied for a replacement with the standard wheelie bin costing £47.93.”
Community firefighter David Jackson said: “Deliberate fires are not only reckless and dangerous but can divert SFRS resources away from genuine emergencies.
“We will continue to engage with young people and communities wherever possible to raise awareness of the potential dangers of deliberate fires to prevent this type of behaviour and ensure our communities are safe.”
Clare Adamson MSP said: “We should remember that this is an act of theft and vandalism and it should be deplored. This issue has been raised for 10 years.”