South Wales Police Join The Fight Against Grass Fires
Today (10.30am Thursday 17th March) at the Hirwaun Fire Station, the emergency services and their partners launch the All Wales multi-agency approach to combating grass and mountain fires across Wales during 2016 in the presence of Minister for Public Services Leighton Andrews AM. Assistant Chief Constable for South Wales Police, Richard Lewis said: “Last year […]
Today (10.30am Thursday 17th March) at the Hirwaun Fire Station, the emergency services and their partners launch the All Wales multi-agency approach to combating grass and mountain fires across Wales during 2016 in the presence of Minister for Public Services Leighton Andrews AM.
Assistant Chief Constable for South Wales Police, Richard Lewis said:
“Last year left South Wales counting the cost of damage due to reckless and deliberate grass fires. The naïve actions of the few had a huge impact on the many. Grass fires divert essential emergency services away from those vulnerable and in need.
“This year the message is clear, if you set a grass fire, you are committing a crime. One silly action can have serious consequences on a persons future. I urge parents, guardians, teachers and members of the public to look out for signs of suspicious behaviour such as smelling of smoke and accelerant, possession of matches and other behaviour that is suspicious.
“Through government funded Community Support Officers (CSO) and working in partnership with other organisations we have been able to provide information to the community of South Wales about grass fires. The CSO role ensures that preventative and educational messages have been delivered to the people of South Wales.”
Huw Jakeway, Chief Fire Officer, South Wales Fire and Rescue, said;
“Tackling the issues of deliberate grass fires is as much about prevention, education and enforcement as it is about operational equipment and tactics and putting the fires out. We have been and will continue to work closely with our neighbouring Fire and Rescue Services and partner agencies to address the underlying issues of anti-social behaviour and deliberate grass fire setting that result in the devastation of the environment. We are very keen to involve the local people in stopping the blight of deliberate grass fires, it has a negative impact to the communities, to the taxpayer and to the environment, and it has to stop”
Every time a blue light service is called out to a deliberately set grass or mountain fire, it costs the taxpayer thousands of pounds, negatively impacts on the environment, wildlife and carbon footprint and puts people at risk. Setting grass fires is a crime! Don’t be a criminal!
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