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Shock cost of fires

Sue Carr
20/ 2/2008

YOBS who deliberately start fires in Tameside are costing taxpayers £6m each year, it has been revealed.

New figures released by the fire service show millions are being spent on dealing with minor fires such as cars, skips, bins and piles of grass.

The secondary fires — those which do not require police attendance — have cost £17m over the last three years.

Steve Heath, station commander at Hyde and Mossley, said it is the first time fire service data has been used to count the cost. It means every incident is recorded rather than just those the police attend.

He said: "Last year arson within Tameside amounted to about 1,400 fires, with a cost to the residents and the fire service of round about £6m. In terms of police figures it’s 27.

"We had 192 vehicle fires, all deliberate, but in terms of the police that would probably be down to about a dozen.

"What we have noticed is that most of our incidents are related to where we get unruly behaviour and it’s not going to go away."

Firefighters say the way forward is ‘partnership working’ with police, patrollers, community groups and residents. They are currently involved in 140 schemes within Tameside.

Mr Heath added: "The figure has caused us some concern but we are working to try and reduce it.

"We alone cannot resolve the situation, what we need is partnership working.

"We are working and the rewards are there to be seen.

"For example, Hattersley is renowned to be our worst area for car fires, but lately we have done some work with the PACT (Police and Community Together) officer and calls have reduced quite considerably.

"I would like to say thanks to the police, patrollers and all the residents who have been getting involved and I am also putting out a plea for assistance.

"We do have a problem but we are not the worst."