Cleveland Fire Brigade is asking everyone to take pride in where they live as the clampdown on deliberate fires continues.
It comes with community groups from across Cleveland joining the launch of the Brigade’s Let’s Get Fired Up About Arson spring campaign.
The Brigade has already linked-up with several litter-picking groups to provide bags and equipment and is urging volunteers to join The Big Eston Hills Clean-Up on Saturday 1 April 2023.
85% of all fire calls made to the Brigade are about deliberate fires – the highest in the country. The main targets are rubbish, grasslands and vehicles.
The campaign coincides with the Great British Spring Clean 2023 (17 March to 2 April) where Keep Britain Tidy is appealing for people to pledge to pick up a bag of rubbish. This helps keep communities clean and removes fuel for would be fire-setters.
Those taking part in last year’s Spring Clean said it gave them pride in their area and also made them feel better.
Research by Keep Britain Tidy shows that more than 8.5 million adults in the UK have done litter-picking at least once in the past six months – a million more people than watched the end of Happy Valley – but there is still more to be done.
Robin Turnbull, Area Manager, Prevention, Protection and Engagement said: “We are hugely indebted to the wonderful work of our local community groups who get together to clean-up our streets and public areas. It is a massive contribution to keeping rubbish away from those intent on anti-social behaviour which leaves a blot on our landscapes.
“Many community groups attended the launch of our Spring campaign and pledged even more support in the drive for everyone to take pride in where they live.”
Spring is the start of longer days and more people out and about. Figures show there were 890 deliberate fires across Cleveland between 20 March and 30 April last year.
The Brigade is also signed-up to FireStoppers, where people can 100% anonymously report any information about deliberate fires or violent attacks against staff to a confidential telephone line or via their website.
Tell us what you know, call FireStoppers on 0800 169 5558 or go to www.firestoppersreport.co.uk and complete the simple online form. 100% anonymous. Always.
