Wednesday 21 April 2006 - 09.00hrs
Avon residents are being targeted in a new initiative from Avon
Fire & Rescue Service and Crimestoppers, aiming to reduce
arson.
AF&RS has teamed up with West Country Crimestoppers to
launch a freephone number which will appear on the side of all
standard fire appliances. The Crimestoppers number, 0800 555111,
will be accompanied by the message "Fire costs lives". It is hoped
the number and message will encourage people to anonymously report
people who may be endangering lives by carrying out arsons in their
area.
The number will be seen across Bristol, North Somerset, South
Gloucestershire and Bath and North East Somerset. It is believed
Avon is the first fire and rescue service in the South West to use
its appliances to display the number. The information will start
appearing on appliances from Tuesday 25 April.
Divisional Officer Nick Baker said: "We have been working with
the Arson Task Force and Community Safety for a long time through
fire investigations. Arson plays a large role in the cases we are
involved in. Crimestoppers is completely anonymous and voluntary
and we hope this initiative will encourage people to phone in with
information about arson. Arson is not only a crime, but fire also
costs lives, and this is highlighted on the appliances."
Gordon Chisholm, Development officer for West Country
Crimestoppers, said: "West Country Crimestoppers is pleased to work
in partnership with Avon Fire & Rescue Service to not
only highlight that arson is a serious crime but to get local
people to use Crimestoppers to tell us who is starting these
fires.
"When an appliance arrives at the scene of a fire in
the community, local people will see the Crimestoppers number
and I hope it will remind them that they can call with information,
at no risk to themselves as their call will always remain
completely anonymous."