Education praised for reducing arson levels

Latest figures from South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue show there were 5,831 deliberately started fires between April 2009 and March 2010 compared with 7,986 in the same period for 2008/09.

The reduction comes after the service also revealed a dramatic cut in fire deaths in South Yorkshire – with nearly 50 per cent fewer fatalities in accidental house fires.

Over the past four years, the number of deliberate fires has halved, a success which senior officers said was proof of the value of workshops they had been hosting across the county.

The service said young people have been the focus of much of the arson reduction work, with firefighters working with youngsters on fire awareness courses.

SYFR head of prevention and protection Phil Shillito said: "As well as taking up valuable fire service resources, deliberate fires put lives in danger and blight the appearance of communities.

"So it is extremely encouraging that we continue to see a reduction in car fires, bin fires and other antisocial behaviour related fires across South Yorkshire. These figures show that our educational work with young people to highlight the dangers of arson is having a positive impact.

"We will continue to work hard alongside our partners to drive down deliberate fires."

Courses run by the brigade include one initiative with a five-day course for young people who have fallen foul of the law or who have been involved in antisocial behaviour, bullying or truancy.

Candidates put forward by schools or youth offending teams go on courses at their local fire stations.

There, the youngsters are taught basic firefighting techniques and other skills by trained firefighters in a bid to improve their discipline, attitude and behaviour.