POLICE and fire crews will work together to reduce rising arson incidents in Lundwood after it was revealed that dozens of fires had been dealt with in the last year.
More than 60 fire-related incidents were reported on Littleworth Lane’s playing fields in Lundwood in 2017, while 14 have already been dealt with in January alone.
The problem came under the spotlight at this week’s PACT meeting, which sees bosses from South Yorkshire Police, Barnsley Council, Berneslai Homes and South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue discuss matters in Lundwood, Monk Bretton and Royston.
The alarming figures - which residents say are diverting crews away from more serious incidents - has prompted immediate action to be taken and a multi-agency approach will be adopted for the next six weeks.
The fire service’s Simon Brookes said: “It’s been a constant source of irritation for nearby residents in the last year and the incidents we have already had last month alone shows not much has changed.
“It’s getting beyond a joke, it’s wasting precious time and recently we’ve been receiving one report a day about a fire in that area. Predominantly it’s in the same location - the playing fields - and it’s school-age children who are responsible.”
Pallets from the nearby Iceland store, general waste, wheelie bins and sofas have all been set alight - and police and fire officers will now make contact with local schools with a view to visiting them.
“This approach does work as we have seen in the past,” Simon said. “We had similar problems in Locke Park before Christmas where we went into nearby schools to stress the importance of how dangerous fires can be.
“Schools generally know who is responsible and names were passed on to us following the Locke Park intervention, which were then relayed to police. Hopefully this is what will happen with the Lundwood spate.”
One Littleworth Lane resident, who did not wish to be named, told the Chronicle youngsters as young as ten have been responsible for some fires.
“My home is nearby so I can see from my window just who is doing it,” they said. “I’ve lived here for 14 years and it’s never been as bad - fires on the field were common last year but last month was unbelievable.
“It’s no exaggeration to say there was a fire engine here most days, always after school.
“There’s not been a particularly dangerous incident that stands out but I think it’s disgraceful that those responsible are potentially diverting fire crews from attending something a lot more serious.
“It’s petty, childish and completely un-called for. I know kids have little to do after school but starting fires, day after day, has to stop.”
Temporary Sergeant Jason Pearson, who has been responsible for neighbourhood policing since November, vowed to work together with fire crews.
“This has to be our priority for the next six weeks as it’s clearly a potentially very dangerous problem,” he said.
“It’s apparent that those who are starting the fires are young and could attend either the primary school in Lundwood or Outwood Academy at Shafton.
“We have an officer who is part-based at the high school so it’s important we identify those who are responsible.”
A spokesman from South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said: “Local residents are understandably concerned about the recent number of small deliberate fires in their area.
“We treat all acts of arson extremely seriously and are working closely with South Yorkshire Police and other local agencies to identify those responsible and to prevent further instances occurring.
“Incidents such as these divert our resources when they could be needed at genuine life-threatening emergencies.
“These small fires also have the potential to spread to properties and could put lives at risk. If residents have any information about people starting fires in their area, they can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
