ARSON / FIRE-SETTING

Good morning, 

Following on from a recent Hedge End Police Facebook post, drawing attention to some concerning behaviour regarding youths lighting fires in the areas of Hedge End, West End and Botley (including Boorley Green), we are still appealing for help from residents, and parents of youths. 

We have had various cases of Fire-setting / Arson reported to Police over the summer months, following which, Hampshire & IOW Fire Service and Police have been required to attend at some of these fires to contain and extinguish. 

Obviously in these challenging times of constant heatwaves, especially in this record breaking year, with tinder dry grassy areas, it doesn't take much for a fire to spread and cause damage to land, fencing, trees, buildings, wildlife etc and there is also potential for injury and fatality. 

Some of the fires may be accidental, and attributed to carelessness, but some incidents reported to local NPT officers, have been fires that have been set (small fires) in nature reserves, wooded areas,  parks/recreation grounds and even one burning very near the motorway at the back of Smyths Toy Store. We have footage of some of those youths, and will do our best to identify them in order to deal with them appropriately. 

Young people have been involved in making fires, but may not be fully aware of the dangers, they may think it is fun, or do it for a dare/joke, therefore we appeal to parents to educate their children accordingly. 

You can access important information via the H&IOWFS website (www.hantsfire.gov.uk) and follow the Outdoor Safety rules. 

ARSON WITNESS APPEAL  

On 3rd August, between 3pm and 4pm, at the location of Turnpike Recreation Ground, near the Pavilion , a fire was deliberately started by a group of youths, using aerosol cans and lighters. They set fire to the dry grass which quickly spread. Local members of the public in the park at the time witnessed this happen and saw the youths running away.  H&IOW Fire service were called to contain and extinguish the fire. This is currently being investigated as an Arson (being deliberately started in order to cause damage). Arson is a serious offence and can result in prosecution. 

Were you at Turnpike Recreation/cricket ground on this date, between those times? Did you see anything of concern? Did you see the youths involved lighting the fire? Did you see them running away? (and which direction they fled in) 

Does anyone in the community know any of these youths? Did any parents notice their child come home smelling of smoke/bonfire around 4pm? We are still very keen to speak to these youths. 

Any information please contact 101 and quote Crime Ref No:  44260377913 

This is a very worrying incident and its a sad state of affairs that children are not only ruining their local parks, but putting themselves in danger of serious burns or worse. 

Police and Fire will continue to educate young people regarding theirs and others safety, along with our other partnership agencies, schools and youth groups etc.  We aim to run a workshop for youths that have engaged in this dangerous behaviour, but we also need parents and guardians to educate their children regarding the dangers, hazards and consequences of setting fires. 

General Outdoor Safety rules for everyone: 

- Don't start campfires in inappropriate areas. (Rural, semi-rural, residential - public parks/recs etc)

- Sunshine shining through glass can start a fire, so take litter and glass bottles home, if there is no bin available. 

- Make sure cigarettes are out and dispose of them properly 

- Leave barbecues at home - pack a picnic instead

Please REMEMBER - Hampshire & IOW is 77% rural (HEWEB areas are semi-rural) and an official Drought warning was declared in July, as it was declared the driest July on record in Southern England. 

Help us all stay safe. 

Thank you. 

PCSO 14468 Tracey Chilcott

HEDGE END NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING TEAM 

#FireSafety #FirePrevention #StaySafe

#CommunityPolicing #NPT #ProtectOurParks

#DontLightFires #NoLittering #ReportASB