9 January 2006

Householders and businesses are being urged to be extra vigilant following a series of serious arson attacks.

Buildings in Buckingham and Long Crendon were badly damaged over the holiday period after fires deliberately started in wheelie bins spread to the buildings themselves. Now Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service is worried that similar attacks in the Tring Road area of Aylesbury may have similar consequences.

Firefighters have dealt with 10 wheelie bin fires in the Tring Road area in the last three weeks, all of which have been in the early hours of the morning.

Community Safety Partnership Manager Keith Wheeler underlined the seriousness of the fires by saying: "At least two of these bin fires came very close to spreading to houses in which people were sleeping. Lives are being put at risk by the person, or group of people, responsible for starting these fires."

Keith has the following advice for residents and businesses in the affected streets:

• Reduce the opportunities for arson by keeping wheelie bins in a back yard or garden and only put them out the front of the house on rubbish collection day.
  
  
• If this is not possible, chain the bin to a wall or fence as far from the premises itself as you can.

Meanwhile Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service is working with other agencies to stop these attacks and catch the people responsible.

"Officers from our Arson Task Force are supporting Thames Valley Police’s efforts," said Keith.

"If anyone has any information that may be helpful they should contact the police on 0845 8 505 505, or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."