Senior fire and safety officers have confirmed that efforts to tackle deliberate fires across Aberdeenshire have made a significant difference in the last five years.
David Rout, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s senior officer for the north-east, unveiled the findings to the region’s councillors at Aberdeenshire Council’s policy and resources committee yesterday.
His report, which included figures from April 1 to December 31 last year, highlighted the fact that deliberate fires diminished to their lowest figure in five years.
The number of fires at non-domestic premises also saw a reduction.
All in all, deliberate fires fell from 148 in 2014 to 141 last year.
Mr Rout said staff had been deployed in “key areas” across Aberdeenshire to carry out awareness-raising work.
He added: “Deliberate fire reduction campaigns and prevention and protection thematic action plans in both Aberdeenshire and Moray have had a positive impact in the reduction of these types of incidents.
“The campaigns involved working along with partners, local schools and the media to highlight the risks and consequences of deliberate fire setting.”
A key part of the fire service’s work is its home safety visits, which offer advice to residents as to the best means of reducing accidental fires and casualties.
He said: “We are developing partnerships throughout the area to identify those most vulnerable and at risk from fire and its associated human and financial costs as well as enhancing community safety.”