FIRE chiefs have organised a conference to look at new approaches to tackle arson.

Cleveland Fire Brigade has teamed up with the Performance Improvement Network, a fire service forum, for the seminar to be held at Tall Trees Hotel, Yarm, on Tuesday.

About 90 per cent of all fires in the Cleveland area are deliberately set, and cause a major drain on resources.

Speakers will focus on youth arson initiatives, new approaches to investigate suspicious fires and the use of data. They have been selected from the fire service, private industry and the North-East Assembly.

Staff from fire services, the police and local authorities across the country will attend the conference, which aims to draw current ideas from partner groups and share best practice.

Denise Lee, partnership co- ordinator for Cleveland Fire Brigade, said: "Performance Improvement Network has held conferences before, but they have been in the Midlands. This will be the first one to be held in this area.

"We expect about 60 people to attend, to share best practice, look at new information and ideas at tackling the problem, which not only dearly costs taxpayers but causes damage to property, puts lives in danger and causes misery to the community"

For more information about the conference, call 01429-872311.