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21/04/2015
11-Year-Old Arrested In Connection With Wild Fires
South Wales Police have arrested a number of children, one as young as 11, in connection with grass fires across the Rhondda valley, which has suffered more grass fires than any other south Wales area.
South Wales Police Deputy Chief Constable Matt Jukes, has promised to take "robust action wherever possible" against those responsible for deliberately setting the fires.
Visiting Porth, Mr Jukes revealed that four youths aged between 12 and 14 were arrested in Maerdy on Sunday and an 11-year-old boy was arrested in Taff.
"I have come to see for myself the devastation that these fires are causing and I can see that it is only a matter of time before somebody gets seriously injured or even killed," Mr Jukes.
"What is most concerning is that we believe that many of these grass fires are being cause by children. This must be addressed and everybody can do their bit in the community. Teachers, neighbours, shop owners, but most importantly parents or carers have a role to play and can make a stand against this recurring problem.
"The public are our eyes and ears and we need their support and vigilance to prevent grassfires and any subsequent damage, but also to ensure those responsible are arrested and prosecuted."
Mr Jukes urged people to look out for tell tale signs of intent to commit arson – clothes smelling of smoke; marked skin; and missing lighters, matches or accelerants are all possible signs.
Anyone who believes they have information about deliberate grass fires is urged to contact South Wales Police via 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
(MH/CD)
South Wales Police Deputy Chief Constable Matt Jukes, has promised to take "robust action wherever possible" against those responsible for deliberately setting the fires.
Visiting Porth, Mr Jukes revealed that four youths aged between 12 and 14 were arrested in Maerdy on Sunday and an 11-year-old boy was arrested in Taff.
"I have come to see for myself the devastation that these fires are causing and I can see that it is only a matter of time before somebody gets seriously injured or even killed," Mr Jukes.
"What is most concerning is that we believe that many of these grass fires are being cause by children. This must be addressed and everybody can do their bit in the community. Teachers, neighbours, shop owners, but most importantly parents or carers have a role to play and can make a stand against this recurring problem.
"The public are our eyes and ears and we need their support and vigilance to prevent grassfires and any subsequent damage, but also to ensure those responsible are arrested and prosecuted."
Mr Jukes urged people to look out for tell tale signs of intent to commit arson – clothes smelling of smoke; marked skin; and missing lighters, matches or accelerants are all possible signs.
Anyone who believes they have information about deliberate grass fires is urged to contact South Wales Police via 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
(MH/CD)
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Fire crews in South Wales worked through the night tackling a large wild fire in Caerphilly county. More than 700 acres of mountain in Wattsville, near Crosskeys, were affected by a fire, which the fire service believe was started deliberately. Twelve fire engines were on the scene, which sits above the Tata Steel Plant.
Overnight Mountain Fire Deliberate - SWFS
Fire crews in South Wales worked through the night tackling a large wild fire in Caerphilly county. More than 700 acres of mountain in Wattsville, near Crosskeys, were affected by a fire, which the fire service believe was started deliberately. Twelve fire engines were on the scene, which sits above the Tata Steel Plant.
20 April 2015
Firefighters Tackle Overnight Church Blaze
Firefighters in Glasgow have fought a blaze at a church in the city over night. Emergency services where alerted to the fire on Crossloan Road, Govan at about 22:30 on Sunday. Residents in a neighbouring four-storey tenement had to be evacuated during the incident, with a number of them put up in emergency accommodation.
Firefighters Tackle Overnight Church Blaze
Firefighters in Glasgow have fought a blaze at a church in the city over night. Emergency services where alerted to the fire on Crossloan Road, Govan at about 22:30 on Sunday. Residents in a neighbouring four-storey tenement had to be evacuated during the incident, with a number of them put up in emergency accommodation.
18 April 2003
Families evacuated over south Wales grass fires
Firefighters in Wales are currently dealing one of its biggest-ever fires, which has seen up to 40 homes evacuated in Wattsville, near Newport. Over 100 firemen are at the scene of the grass fires which began late last night and fears are mounting that the flames could spread into residential areas.
Families evacuated over south Wales grass fires
Firefighters in Wales are currently dealing one of its biggest-ever fires, which has seen up to 40 homes evacuated in Wattsville, near Newport. Over 100 firemen are at the scene of the grass fires which began late last night and fears are mounting that the flames could spread into residential areas.
16 April 2015
Arsonists Blamed For More Than 400 Wild Fires
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) have said they believe a series of wild fires in a 12-hour period were all started deliberately. SWFRS crews dealt with 49 grass fires on Wednesday, receiving some 500 calls and deploying 73 fire engines to different sites.
Arsonists Blamed For More Than 400 Wild Fires
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) have said they believe a series of wild fires in a 12-hour period were all started deliberately. SWFRS crews dealt with 49 grass fires on Wednesday, receiving some 500 calls and deploying 73 fire engines to different sites.
05 August 2003
Fire brigade with more than 1 million fires in a year: Prescott
Latest national fire statistics covering the 12 months to September 2002 were issued today by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. First estimates show that the UK fire and rescue service attended just over 1 million fires and false fire alarms during the 12 months to September 2002 - 2% more than the previous 12-month period.
Fire brigade with more than 1 million fires in a year: Prescott
Latest national fire statistics covering the 12 months to September 2002 were issued today by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. First estimates show that the UK fire and rescue service attended just over 1 million fires and false fire alarms during the 12 months to September 2002 - 2% more than the previous 12-month period.
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