Frustration as Cambridgeshire firefighters had to attend more than 150 deliberate fires in first lockdown

Home Office data shows the Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service responded to 177 deliberate fires between April and June – an increase of more than one third (35 per cent) on the 131 between January and March and equating to nearly 60 arson attacks in the county each month.

The figures include all fires thought or suspected to be intentional, including arson, and others such as bonfires and grassfires.

The deliberate fires even resulted in one non-fatal casualty, with the person requiring hospital treatment.

But the Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service says that lockdown has caused a 30 per cent drop in incidents compared to last year.

Arson Liaison Officer, Station Commander Pete Jones, said: “Arson is a very serious crime and can have severe consequences for those that start a fire, no matter how big or how small it is. Not only this, but any fire presents significant risks for anyone around the area if it gets out of hand, as well as for the fire crews sent to tackle them.

“Although there was an increase in deliberate fires during lockdown, compared to earlier in the year, these numbers were significantly less than last year. We do often see deliberate fires rise during the Spring and Summer months, plus during the first lockdown period there were reduced refuse collections and recycling centre closures. However, compared with 2019, there were around 30 per cent less deliberate fires.”

It was explained that Peterborough had seen a significant spate of fires in flytipped waste around allotments when the tips and recycling centres were closed.

Mr Jones said: “We work closely with the police and other partner agencies to try and prevent these types of incidents. However it is clear there is more work to do, and we need help from residents across the county. Reporting a fire, whether deliberate or not, is important so our crews can respond quickly and stop it spreading.

“Keeping communities safe from arson is really important and we all need to work together help prevent fires. Reporting suspicious activity and flytipping, as well as speaking to young people about the dangers of fires are some of the things that can be done to help avoid deliberate fires from happening.”

The National Fire Chiefs Council said it was “shocking” fire services across England had to respond to arson call-outs at a time when they were helping deliver food and medicine to the most vulnerable.

Fire crews in Cambridgeshire also had to deal with 259 non-fire incidents between April and June, when pandemic restrictions were still in force.

Most commonly, the Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service had to assist other agencies on 51 occasions.

Nationally, 239 non-fatal casualties from deliberate fires were recorded between April and June – along with eight deaths.

Fire and rescue services across England attended more than 20,000 deliberate fires during April to June, during which the toughest Covid-19 restrictions were imposed.

This was over 50 per cent more than they attended between January and March, and coincided with a period when firefighters were delivering food and medicine and giving support to the police and ambulance services. It also unnecessarily put firefighters at greater risk of catching Covid or having to self-isolate, preventing them from attending vital life-saving duties.

NFCC chair Roy Wilsher said: “During these unprecedented times, the fire service is working incredibly hard to ensure the safety of communities across the entire UK, doing their upmost to protect the most vulnerable.

“However, it is shocking and unbelievable that we have seen a rise in deliberate fires, which results in additional pressure on already stretched resources.

“Attending a deliberate fire is time away from attending other life-threatening incidents and carrying out other vital work. Arson is a criminal act and fire services will work with the police in a bid to hold these people to account in a bid to see them successfully prosecuted.”

There was an 11 per cent decrease in deliberate fires between April and June compared to the same period last year.

The majority of these during lockdown – both nationally and in Cambridgeshire – were secondary fires, which are usually considered less serious.

With people spending more time at home, the NFCC is urging them to employ fire prevention methods to allow fire and rescue services to respond effectively to emergencies.

Mr Wilsher added: “Fire services have committed to providing support to other emergency services during this pandemic.

“Bringing down the number of preventable fires will mean they have more capacity to support the most vulnerable in their communities, while ensuring they maintain their emergency response.”

The Home Office said it was grateful for the tireless efforts of firefighters across the country, particularly for their bravery and commitment during this pandemic.

A spokesman said: “Deliberate fires needlessly waste firefighters’ precious time and resources and enforcement action can be taken against those responsible.”