Firefighters across the north of Scotland were called to tackle seven deliberate fires every single day during Spring last year – a rise of almost half than during the same period in 2018.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service crews across within the North Service Delivery Area (SDA) – which includes Aberdeen City; Aberdeenshire and Moray; Perth, Kinross, Angus and Dundee City; Highland; and Na H-Eileanan an Iar, Orkney   Islands and Shetland Islands – were mobilised to a total of 397 incidents of deliberate fire-raising between March and April 2019.

This is an increase of 48% on the year before, when SFRS crews across the North SDA were turned out to 268 needless blazes during the same period.

These fires were largely comprised of outdoor incidents impacting fields, refuse and countryside, but also included building and vehicle fires.

This “shocking” rise in is placing lives at risk, warned SFRS Director of Prevention and Protection, Assistant Chief Officer Ross Haggart.

SFRS Assistant Chef Officer Ross Haggart

Audio: ACO Haggart Deliberate Fires in Scotland

ACO Haggart said:

“We take a zero-tolerance approach to deliberate fire setting and it is a small minority of individuals who are potentially putting themselves, our firefighters and innocent bystanders at risk of serious harm and injury.

“Make no mistake – fire can cause injury and death, it can be devastating to properties, businesses and the environment.

“Last year, witnessed a shocking rise in deliberate fire-raising during the Spring period.

“These incidents are a needless drain on our resources and can impact on our response to genuine emergencies – where lives might very well be at risk.

“The fact that our firefighters are called to thousands of deliberately set fires each year is completely unacceptable.

ACO Haggart was speaking as Scotland’s national fire and rescue services launched its #SpringSafety campaign.

Across Scotland, the SFRS recorded a staggering 3,658 incidents of deliberate fire-raising during Spring last year – an increase of 97%.

ACO Haggart warned that the SFRS will continue to do everything in its power to help Police Scotland trace those risking the safety of communities across Scotland.

He said:

“It absolutely goes without saying that we prefer to prevent fires – not fight fires.

“But let me be very clear – we operate a strict zero tolerance approach to deliberate fire raising. It is reckless, selfish, and can have devastating consequences.

“We will continue to work very closely with our police and local authority partners to provide evidence that will ensure those responsible are identified and held to account for their actions.

“It is vital that we continue to remind people that deliberate fire setting is a crime and that a criminal record can affect future life and job opportunities – a price that can be easily avoided.”

Anyone with information about deliberate fire-raising should contact the free and confidential Crimestoppers helpline on 0800 555 111