Police warning after youths admit starting wildfires

SOUTH Wales Police have warned parents to “take responsibility for their children” after three youths admitted to starting wildfires near Maesteg.

The boys were caught starting fires in unrelated incidents near Caerau.

Police said two 12 year olds admitted starting a fire which badly damaged around two acres of ground behind Lon-Y-Parc, close to the gardens of several houses on Wednesday, March 23. CCTV enquiries were made and the two boys were identified and spoken to.

A 15-year-old boy admitted starting a small fire in the forestry above Caerau Colliery Site on the same day.

The boy was recorded lighting the fire by a dog walker who sent the video to police. The force said local officers were able to identify the boy.

All three admitted their guilt and were interviewed under caution at a police station and referred to the Youth Justice Service to provide support in the hope of stopping them from re-offending.

Sergeant Richard Lea said: “My plea is for parents to take responsibility for their children, and to drum into them now, the dangers and the consequences of deliberate fires.

“Not only do grass fires have a devastating and long-lasting impact on our countryside and mountains, they also put our emergency services – in particular our fire services – under significant strain.

“Many, if not most children are well aware that setting grass fires is wrong – those who have helped us with our enquires recently deserve praise for their actions, and I would encourage others to do the same.”

Anybody who has information about a deliberately set fire can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 – or via an online anonymous form at Crimestoppers-uk.org. In an emergency they should always call 999.