500 deliberate fires in Dundee cost the taxpayer £1 million last year.
According to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), crews in the Dundee City area attend an average of 500 “deliberate” fires each year.
The Fire Service say intentional blazes “present a huge drain on the fire service” and can tie up resources for long periods, which in turn can delay fire fighters ability to respond to emergency calls.
Whitfield and Fintry are responsible for the highest rate of intentional fires, according to the SFRS.
The service has now launched a joint initiative task-force with a number of bodies including Police Scotland and community safety wardens to try and curb the issue.
The project will involve fire fighters and police calling at doors to highlight the serious issues that wheelie bin and grassland fires have on the community.
Firefighters will also visit schools to inform and educate about the dangers of setting fires.
SFRS watch manager John Wade reminded those responsible that deliberate fireraising can claim lives.
He said: “Deliberate fires present a danger to life, property and the environment.
“The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service work closely with our colleagues within Police Scotland and the community wardens to identify anyone involved in deliberate fire setting.
“While attending these incidents, fire crews could be taken away from genuine emergencies where lives are at risk.
“An emergency is very time critical and deliberate fires have a potential to delay us.
“We want to stop fires before they start through education and prevention measures.
“I appeal to the public in particular within affected neighbourhoods and young people to call or contact Crimestoppers.
“We would ask parents and carers to ensure that their children know, and are aware of potentially tragic consequences deliberate fires can have, as well as the impact for responding emergency services.”
Crimestoppers can be called anonymously on 0800 555 111 or contacted through their website at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
The partner agencies will have a visible presence within Fintry and Whitfield during the period of March 20 to Friday April 14.
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