Monday 30 July
13.00 hrs
Avon Fire & Rescue Service
(AF&RS) is appealing to parents, carers and people who live
near local schools to help them beat arson this summer.
During the
holidays empty school buildings are at an increased risk of being
targeted by fire setters, many of whom will be bored children. Of
the 1,000 or so fires that occur in the nation’s schools each year,
over half are started deliberately and two thirds occur outside of
normal school hours.
With the start of
the summer holidays the fire service is urging parents and
guardians to help reduce the risk of their children suffering
serious injury or death by highlighting the dangers of setting
fires.
In a bid to combat
the arsonists, local schools have also been encouraged to complete
arson vulnerability assessment packs provided by AF&RS’s Arson
Task Force. Any school that fire officers believe to be high risk
will be provided with assistance to reduce the likelihood of an
arson attack.
Station Manager
Martin Glanvill, Arson Task Force manager at AF&RS said: “By
taking a few simple steps such as making sure windows and doors are
securely locked, perimeter fencing is well maintained with signs
warning intruders, rubbish is removed as soon as possible, bins are
locked in secure cages and regular checks of the premises are
carried out, schools can dramatically reduce the risk of being
targeted by arsonists.
“Parents and
guardians also have a huge role to play. Fires in schools have huge
financial implications for the taxpayer; for the children and their
families it means a disrupted education and potentially the loss of
important work. In a worst case scenario any fire could lead to the
loss of life, something we are working hard to avoid at all
costs.”
Anyone that
witnesses suspicious activity near a school should telephone the
police. If they have information regarding any fire started
deliberately they can contact Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800
555 111.