Crackdown on arsonists
Young arsonists in the making are being targeted by fire service bosses in Staffordshire. Young arsonists in the making are being targeted by fire service bosses in Staffordshire. The county's fire service is working to prevent fire-related crime among young people, such as arson, hoax calls and attacks on firefighters. Parents and teachers worried about particular youngsters' fascination with fire are now being urged to make use of a new dedicated telephone line set up as part of the campaign. The local rate phone number – 08451 213300 – allows people to find out about Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service's "Youth Intervention" programmes. Read the full story in the Express & Star.
The county's fire service is working to prevent fire-related crime among young people, such as arson, hoax calls and attacks on firefighters.
Parents and teachers worried about particular youngsters' fascination with fire are now being urged to make use of a new dedicated telephone line set up as part of the campaign.
The local rate phone number – 08451 213300 – allows people to find out about Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service's "Youth Intervention" programmes.
The service runs a number of schemes in a bid to steer young people away from future offending.
Calls to the service's youth intervention team via the new line will be dealt with in confidence.
Head of risk reduction John O'Leary said the phone line was now the main contact number for all of the county fire service's Youth Intervention programmes.
He said: "The new telephone number has been set up for parents, guardians, carers and teachers who may be concerned about young people and fire.
"Many young people have a great fascination with fire. If this fire play is not addressed promptly there is a potential for things to escalate into more dangerous areas, with lives put at risk.
"With the setting up of this telephone line, we now have a single point of contact for the whole county. The service is able to offer a variety of programmes dependent on the need of the individual.
"All calls are kept strictly confidential. If you think Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service Youth Intervention Team can help, then please give us a call."
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service last month gave its backing to a new government drive to further cut rates of fire-related youth crimes.
Fire minister Angela Smith announced details of an action plan to cut the level of such offences as part of wider efforts to reduce fire deaths, injuries and property damage.
It builds on previous work by the fire and rescue services, of which the Staffordshire service has been a leader.
Since 2001 youth arson attacks have fallen by 49 per cent and resulting casualties have dropped by 46 per cent in England.
The action plan sets out how central government will work with the Chief Fire Officers' Association and other bodies to try to further reduce fire-related deaths and incidents caused by young people.
It includes fire services across the country working with Sure Start family centres to start fire safety education early.
Philip Bamford, arson reduction manager for the Staffordshire service, said: "The service has a number of excellent initiatives that have received national recognition for best practice.
"One such innovative initiative is the Xtinguish programme, which is for young people who have been involved in arson.
"Over 100 youngsters have been on the programme and, to date, over 85 per cent of these have not been caught re-offending."
