Arsonists rampage across Tamworth

By hbeestone

YOUNG arsonists who lit a staggering 31 fires in Tamworth in just one week are being sought by police.

The town's fire service has been stretched to the limit by the blazes as a teenagers torched conifers, motorcycles, rubbish skips and vans across the town.

"These youngsters are endangering their own lives and could be seriously injured," said Tamworth fire station's risk reduction officer Brian Roy.

"Fires can spread so quickly and cause a lot of damage and of course there is the chance that someone could be seriously injured.

"Apart from that, these fires take us away from more serious incidents. We were called to a road accident this week – we should not be dealing with grass fires when there has been an accident in which someone could have been seriously injured.

"We have two fire appliances in Tamworth and these unecessary fires are stretching us to the very limit.

"I would urge members of the public to come forward with information," he added.

The fires have been started in areas including Amington, Belgrave, Glascote, Stonydelph and the town centre.

Over the last weekend alone, firefighters dealt with 21 fires – 18 of which had been started deliberately.

The firebug craze has been ongoing for the last few months. In September 2008, 19 fires were recorded in Tamworth, of which four were grass fires started deliberately.

But in September this year, 43 fires were dealt with – 26 of them arson.

Tamworth's new police chief, Inspector Emma Griffiths vowed a 'zero tolerance' approach to the incidents.

She told the Herald: "We had spates of these incidents in Wilnecote and Belgrave and we went into schools, identified individuals, spoke to them and their parents and the incidents stopped.

"Our investigations into these latest incidents are ongoing and we are on their trail, we are adopting a zero tolerance approach and we WILL prosecute.

"We are targetting operations in affected areas. This is a fad, a trend, but it's a very dangerous one, these young people are putting their own lives in danger.

"We are encouraging people to use Crimestoppers and give us information. If anyone sees anything suspicious we would like to hear from them.

"Parents also need to be alert – does your child have a lighter – if so why? Or are they coming into the house smelling of woodsmoke? We are prepared to work with parents if they need help." she added.

Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555111.