Beating arsonists (From Gazette Series)

Beating arsonists

SIR - In response to the letter published in your edition of November 12 by A R Greenhill, of Dursley, I can confirm that the fire in the old garages in Bull Pitch was declared as a suspected arson incident by the responding crews and that fact was reported to the police; this has been the only incident recorded in the last six months at this building.

The Fire and Rescue Service is working in partnership with all district councils, the police and other partners through the county's Arson Task Force; dealing with derelict unoccupied properties is one of the key areas of concern and procedures are in place to reduce the opportunity for arson and other anti-social behaviour.

Now this building has been identified as a problem the Task Force will create an action plan to reduce the risk of future arson attacks.

Your reader also mentions the old Bymacks factory. The number of fires in this factory was one of the driving forces in the launch of the Arson Task Force. Before the launch of the Arson Task Force we had attended 15 fires on the site over a six-month period, in the 14-month period following the launch we have attended only three very minor fires. The security of the site is monitored on a regular basis.

I hope this information is of value to your readers.

Terry Standing Deputy Chief Fire Officer Fire and Rescue Service HQ Waterwells Drive Quedgeley