FIREFIGHTERS insist that extra efforts to educate young people around fire safety has led directly to a massive drop in deliberate firesetting in Nithsdale.
Fire service chiefs confirmed a “huge decrease” in the number of deliberate firestarting incidents they are being called out to.
And in North West Dumfries – a hotspot for this type of crime in recent years – has seen an even bigger decline in kids starting blazes in empty buildings, cars, and on land.
A fire service performance report covering the six-month period between April 1 and September 30 last year will be presented at Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Nithsdale area committee next week.
The report, prepared by Station Commander Kevin McCartney, states: “Deliberate fire setting has seen a huge decrease of 52 percent on the same period last year.
“We are delighted as this includes a reduction across all districts. Northwest Dumfries continues to have the greatest number of incidents however, but shows a decrease of 63 percent compared with 2023-24; incidents attended have dropped from 35 to 13.
“We are encouraged that the direct engagement with the young people in Dumfries appears to be having a positive effect.
“Through engagement with local communities and other agencies we are working to reduce these incidents. Nearly 72 per cent of all deliberate fires, were classed as secondary, with the remainder being made up of buildings, vehicles, and land of value.”
Firefighters have been tackling the deliberate firesetting problem in partnership with Police Scotland, and the council’s youth services and education departments.
Following joint investigations, charges have been brought or young people have been instructed to follow the Fire Setters Intervention Programme through youth justice services.
The report continues: “Our fire safety enforcement and community action teams have been working closely with our local children’s’ homes where there have been a spate of false alarms and instances of deliberate firesetting.
“Our staff are experienced in engaging with different members of our communities, and work in conjunction with care staff to help them ensure the safety of all residents.
“The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service continues to work beside key partners to deliver a three-week programme to inform and educate P7 children on general safety matters and to highlight the impact anti-social behaviour has on our communities.”
This programme was delivered in Stranraer in May 2024, and thereafter at the DG One leisure facility for the schools in the east of Dumfries and Galloway.
