Staffordshire arson attacks down by 50%
Arson attacks in Staffordshire have fallen by more than a half, from nearly 2,000 to less than 900, new figures have revealed.
In total, 866 small fires were started deliberately across the county between April and August last year compared to 1,906 during the same period in 2011.
There were 205 fires in the west of the county, which includes Stone, Eccleshall, Stafford Cannock and Rugeley.
To the north in the likes of Stoke there were 505 fires and in the east, around the Burton area, there were 156 fires.
Fire chiefs have put the drop down to the launch of various campaigns aimed at youngsters in a bid to tackle small grass and bin fires.
But they warn anyone caught starting small fires could face two years in prison or a fine of up to £5,000.
The Flames Aren't Games campaign is launched every year ahead of the Easter holidays in a bid to tackle small fires.
The hard-hitting initiative has proved to be a success since it was launched in 2011 with the number of incidents decreasing year-on-year.
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service head of risk reduction Jim Bywater said: "The consequences of setting deliberate fires can be devastating.
"They can put the lives of innocent members of the public and firefighters at risk as well as endangering those responsible for starting the blaze.
"They also put a strain on the fire and rescue service, with the possibility of crews taking longer to respond to a serious house fire or road traffic collision because they are tackling a deliberate grass fire."
He added: "The monetary cost of these incidents is also quite shocking.
"There is estimated £8 million spent nationally every year on dealing with them.
"This money could be far better spent.
"The long-term effects on the people engaging in the anti-social behaviour can be catastrophic too with a maximum of five years in prison or a fine of up to £5,000.
"A criminal record can also badly affect future job prospects, leading to a long term negative impact later in life.
"We would urge parents to make their children aware of all of these issues so that they don't get involved in setting fires in the first place."
Recent arson attacks including a derelict building in Chadsmoor in February.
Crews from Penkridge, Rugeley and Chase Terrace attended the fire in Chase Terrace in the early hours of February 23.
It forced the closure of Cannock Road between Bradford Street and the roundabout at Belt Road.
Staffordshire Fire Service later confirmed the blaze as arson.
