Appeal For Information After Deliberate Grass Fires In Blaenau Gwent

We’re appealing for information following a number of deliberate grass fires set in the Blaenau Gwent area yesterday (Thursday 5th May 2016). ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Gwent Police received reports of grass fires at Chapel Road in Six Bells, Abertillery at 2.32pm, at Shepherds Close, Sirhowy, during the early evening between 4.45pm and 7.20pm and at Blue Lake Cemetery Road in Ebbw Vale at 8.15pm. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Police are currently working closely with the fire service and other partners to combat grass fires in an on-going campaign. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Chief Inspector Nick McLain said: “Setting deliberate grass fires is an extremely reckless and dangerous activity, which can cause serious harm to the local environment, wildlife and local communities. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“I would appeal to residents to keep an eye out for any suspicious activity in their neighbourhood and to report any concerns to police. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Setting grass fires is a criminal offence and anyone found to be doing so will be dealt with robustly.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity or has any information on these grass fires is asked to ring Gwent Police on 101. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​