Firefighters from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service responded to 76 deliberate fires on the 5th of November 2023.

The UK’s fastest responding service to dwelling fires dealt with a staggering 425 deliberate fires during the darker night period last year (17/10/23 – 17/11/23), with a third being during the three-day bonfire period alone (04/11/23 – 06/11/23).

Ahead of the clocks going back on Sunday 27th October 2024, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service and partner agencies are asking the public to think carefully about their actions and consider the consequences of deliberate fire setting before participating in anti-social behaviour.

Paul Russell, Area Manager for Community Safety at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said:
“Deliberate fires have a devastating impact on our community – they destroy property, harm the environment, and in the worst cases, cost lives.

“Even a small fire can quickly get out of control, putting both the person who started it and others at serious risk.

“Every year, our crews attend thousands of deliberate fires, draining resources and potentially delaying responses to life-threatening emergencies.

“We urge everyone to think about the consequences before setting a fire – it’s not just dangerous, it could be deadly.”

Chief Inspector Louise Mcclennan, of Northumbria Police, said: “We hope everyone enjoys the Halloween and Bonfire Night period.

“We would always ask that people take responsibility for themselves and are considerate of others – especially those who can feel anxious or intimidated at this time of year.

“As in previous years, we’ll be running a multi-agency operation over this period, working closely with all our partners to proactively prevent pockets of disorder and deal with any issues together should they arise.

“Anybody who is concerned about anti-social behaviour in their area is asked to report it to us by speaking to an officer on patrol, by sending us a direct message on social media, or by using live chat and report forms on our website.

“Those unable to make contact in these ways can call 101.”

Throughout the bonfire period, our Prevention and Education teams are working closely with schools and community groups across the region to provide education on the dangers and consequences of deliberate fire setting.

If you have information, report anonymously to Firestoppers on 0800 169 5558 or by following the link: Firestoppers | Crimestoppers (theiline.co.uk)