Press Release - Local residents called to point the finger at arsonists

Firefighters from Avon Fire & Rescue Service are urging people living in south Bristol to help them stop arsonists.

As part of a summer campaign, officers from the service’s Arson Task Force team will be out and about in areas of the city where deliberately set car and rubbish fires are a problem, aiming to reduce the numbers.

The campaign is being launched at the official opening of Avon Fire & Rescue Service’s new Community Safety Centre (CSC) at Symes Avenue, in Hartcliffe, today (Tuesday 1 July).

The average car fire costs the community £4,000. This includes the calling out of the fire service, the clean-up and the environmental damage caused by the smoke and fumes.

Across the former Avon area last year there were 1,159 deliberate car fires, which equates to three every day.

Arson Task Force Manager, Graeme Watson, said: “Arson has a huge impact on local communities, whether it be the damage caused by a deliberately set fire or the cost of clearing up afterwards. Our campaign will see officers from the Arson Task Force spending time in the local community and asking residents to be our eyes and ears. We want them to tell us who the arsonists are and work with us to stop them.”

A burnt-out car showing the devastating impact of arson will be on display at the CSC. Members of the Arson Task Force will also be on hand to talk to shoppers and visitors about how to reduce car and rubbish fires in their communities. They will be urging local people to report known arsonists to the police through the Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111.

The new CSC is open to community groups, and provides meeting rooms, internet access and fire safety advice to local people - all free of charge.

AF&RS has CSCs at fire stations in Speedwell, Southmead, Yate, Weston-super-Mare, Bath, Keynsham and at its HQ in Bristol city centre.