Firestarters have set more blazes in Aberdeen this year than at any time in at least five years- with a surge in incidents at the Gramps blamed.
New data from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), to be presented to councillors next week, shows that in the period from April this year there have been 210 deliberate fires set.
During the same period of 2017/18 there were 184 such incidents, while in 2014/15 – the earliest figures provided – there were 150.
Last night the city’s top fire officer said speaking with young people about the dangers of fire and visiting schools remained their priority to reduce the figures.
He also revealed that emergency services had been on track for a reduction in deliberately started fires until a fortnight of summer madness.
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During September, the Gramps nature reserve on Kincorth Hill was repeatedly targeted by firebugs with fire crews called out on 30 separate occasions in a 13-day spell.
Bruce Farquharson, the area manager for Aberdeen City SFRS, said raising awareness of the dangers of fire-starting remained the key tool in combating such incidents but warned there would be “zero tolerance” for those caught starting fires.
He said: “Across Aberdeen we continue to work very hard to raise awareness and educate on the potentially devastating consequences of deliberate fire raising.
“Positive engagement with local communities, particularly with young people, remains our most effective weapon in combating this unacceptable behaviour.
“During the summer months we experienced a large number of incidents in grass and gorse which resulted in a change in our performance figures from a reduction in the number of deliberate fires to an increase.
Aftermath of Gramps fires
“Stopping these incidents from occurring in the first place is our main aim and as such we continue to engage with local schools and youth groups to highlight the risks.
“We take a zero tolerance approach towards anyone who deliberately sets fire and are committed to working closely with our partners, including Police Scotland, to help ensure those involved in this criminal activity are quickly identified and action taken.”
Liberal Democrat councillor Martin Greig, who sits on the council’s public protection committee, said the steady rise in deliberate fire raising was becoming a major safety problem.
He said: “These offences create serious risks and can result in injuries and even loss of life.
“The fire service always responds swiftly and give high quality attention.
“The financial costs of dealing with fires adds to the pressures on resources.”