Partnership approach to tackling fire-raising incidents in West Dunbartonshire

Police Scotland has established a partnership with other agencies in West Dunbartonshire following community concerns over a number of fire-raising incidents.

The partnership first met in June 2022 and involves Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and West Dunbartonshire Council.

Its aims are to engage with the local community and deliver educational inputs to provide crime prevention advice and highlight the dangers and consequences of fire-raising.

Between April and September 2022, there were 30 reports of wilful fire-raising within West Dunbartonshire, with 5 cases resulting in culprits being identified. This was a reduction from 44 incidents over the same period in 2021 with 11 individuals identified.

Superintendent Lorna Gibson said: “Whilst there have been fewer fire-raising reports this year, the partnership acknowledges they have had a more significant community impact. We have witnessed fire damage within school grounds and also a large fire at a former care home, which required the evacuation of local residents.

“Our officers investigate every instance of wilful fire-raising thoroughly and regularly work to provide guidance and address concerns throughout the local community, but it became evident that the issue of fire-raising was a priority. Our Police Scotland Youth Volunteers have also been delivering leaflets to areas previously targeted, to offer advice and reassurance to the public.

“The partnership has provided all educational establishments across the area with crime prevention advice to make them more secure, whilst Police have been attending schools to increase our youth engagement, alongside Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.”

The partnership has undertaken to identify derelict premises in the community, which may pose a risk, to ensure owners are contacted and reminded of their responsibilities in terms of securing their properties.

Area Commander Joe McKay is the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service's local senior officer for East and West Dunbartonshire and Argyll & Bute.

He said: "The consequences of deliberate fire-setting can be devastating. Fires have the potential to cause serious injury or death, as well as extensive damage to properties and our environment.

"We will continue to work with partner agencies to engage with young people to make them aware of the risks of this type of behaviour."

Council Leader Councillor Martin Rooney, Chair of West Dunbartonshire’s Community Planning Partnership, said: “We are committed to working in partnership with Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to further reduce incidents of wilful fire-raising.

“Fire-raising in our communities is not only extremely dangerous, but it also destroys much-loved facilities which are costly to repair or replace. In West Dunbartonshire, this has included the grounds of our schools and Early Learning Community Centres, which negatively impacts upon our young people.

“We want to make the consequences of starting fires very clear and by working together we can ensure that message is understood far and wide.”

Anyone with information or concerns regarding fire-raising should call 101, or 999 in an emergency.