DELIBERATE fire-setting — a worrying problem in Dumfries and Galloway in recent years — has dropped dramatically.
New figures released by Scottish Fire and Rescue Service show that the number of incidents have halved this year.
There were just 57 deliberate fires across the region for the first six months of this year (April 1 to September 30) – compared to 117 for the same period in 2023/24.
The positive news was revealed in the Dumfries and Galloway fire service performance report for April 1 to September 30.
Derek Heaton, the region’s fire service chief, tabled the report at the recent meeting of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s police, fire, and rescue sub-committee.
The report states: “Deliberate fire setting has seen a huge decrease of 51 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 with a decrease of 63 percent compared with 2023-24.
“We are encouraged that the direct engagement that the watches have been carrying out 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 74 per cent of all deliberate fires, were classed as secondary, with the remainder being made up of buildings, vehicles, and land of value.
“We continue to adapt to the challenge through partnership working with Police Scotland, Youth Services and Education. Following joint investigations, our actions have resulted in charges being brought or young people receiving a fire setters’ intervention programme through youth justice collaboration.”
The report continued: “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 fire setting.
“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.”
Meanwhile, the overall number of fire service incidents is also on the decline. The six-month figure of 763 callouts is a reduction of 20 percent compared to last year.
Fire chief Heaton told councillors: “We’ve also seen drops in primary and secondary fires, and also special services, which includes RTCs (road traffic collisions).
“Unfortunately we have seen an increase in fire casualties, and non-fire casualties which includes RTCs.
“But that’s mainly a by-product of multiple occupancy of cars. Even though we’re having fewer collisions, there are more people in the vehicles when we get there.”
