Deliberate fires are on the increase
IN 12 MONTHS
FIREFIGHTERS in Greater Manchester were called out to nearly 20 deliberate outdoor fires a day last year – and the number is on the rise.
New information released by the Home Office reveals the extent and detail of outdoor fires across our region.
It shows the number of deliberate fires has risen by six per cent in the last year.
In 2016/17, there were 6,315 outdoor fires started deliberately across Greater Manchester – but this figure increased to 6,668 in 2017/18.
There were another 928 outdoor fires started accidentally, down slightly from the 2016/17 figure of 1,024.
Some 2,993 of the deliberate fires were located over loose refuse.
There were also 1,805 bin or wheelie bin fires, 394 in tree scrub, and 227 in grassland.
Six of the fires were more than 10 square kilometres in size - the equivalent of nearly one-and-a-half football pitches.
There were five of between 5,001 square metres and 10,000 sq m, and a further six of between 2,001 and 5,000 sq m.
Most outdoor fires (3,037) were under five sq m in size.
Deliberate outdoor fires include incidents such as suspected arson, fires started by children and psychiatric patients, as well as suicides and attempted suicides.
The worst area in Greater Manchester for deliberate outdoor fires last year was Manchester itself, with 1,290.
That was followed by Wigan (1,119), Salford (906), and Bolton (840).
On the other hand, Trafford only recorded 225, Bury 326 and Stockport 365.
The situation in Greater Manchester reflects a national trend.
Across England, the total number of outdoor fires rose by seven pc between 2016/17 and 2017/18.
Among those started deliberately, there was a nine pc rise.
Firefighters were called out to 62,011 deliberate outdoor fires last year across the country.
That’s equal to 170 a day, on average.