'Lives at risk' fear after spate of arson attacks

A recent spate of arson attacks has prompted fears lives could be in danger if no action is taken.

A bungalow fence near a playing field, supermarket trolleys and cages pushed onto a sports court, and play equipment have all be set alight in the Redcar and Cleveland Council area.

Conservative councillor Peter Grogan said the fence blaze in Rushpool Close could have spread to the house "then it's potentially lives being lost".

The council said improvements were being made to CCTV in the area, and joined the police in appealing for information from residents.

Cleveland Police said additional neighbourhood patrols had been carried out to offer reassurance to residents after "continual fires".

Last month the Local Democracy Reporting Service reported how a playground was still closed after vandals burnt equipment.

Grogan said the issue was not being stopped "at the source".

He said ward councillors had asked for more resources to be committed to the area and he felt Public Space Protection Orders – that can be issued by local authorities to restrict anti-social behaviour – should be considered.

"The incidents cool down a bit and then it fires back up again once everything is forgotten," he said.

"Some of these kids don't go to school and, in terms of the criminal justice system, they get a slapped wrist and then go and do it again.

"The damage to the fence – the fire could have carried on and spread to the house and then it's potentially lives being lost."

Grogan added the replacement of a "rapid deployment" CCTV camera, which residents claim does not work properly, with a permanent camera directly linked to the council's control room "still hadn't materialised".

The council urged residents to report any information they might have.

It was working with police and the fire service to identify those responsible and was increasing patrols to reassure the community, it added.

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