A ZERO tolerance policy on young arsonists has been launched in South West Durham.

Police and firefighters have joined forces in an effort to tackle the problem of arsonists over the school summer holidays, a time when arson attacks increase.

They have introduced a zero tolerance policy, aimed at identifying culprits, sending letters to offenders' parents and visiting them to discuss the seriousness and outcomes of their actions.

Durham and Darlington Fire Service say they are called out to about 300 deliberate fires a year in Wear Valley.

Many of these blazes are at properties, in plastic bins or at rubbish and grass mounds, and cost an estimated £2,000, as well as the devastating environmental impact they can have on local communities.

Wear and Tees assistant district manager Michael Dunn is urging parents to make sure they know what their children are doing during the summer holidays.

He said: "If your children are coming home smelling of smoke, there is a chance that they are involved in deliberate fire setting and that they are not only putting their own lives at risk, but may prevent or delay the fire service from attending more serious incidents, such as car crashes and house fires.

"Those responsible are, with their reckless and illegal behaviour, committing fire crews to these deliberate fires, when they should be available for the serious incidents, where lives could be lost."

In the lead up to the summer holidays, the fire service visited various schools across Wear Valley, advising children about the dangers of deliberate fire setting.

During the summer holidays, the police and fire service will be joined by street wardens across Wear Valley to gather evidence and intelligence about individuals who start fires.

"The local authority street cleaning section are assisting by removing flammable materials, such as waste timber and rubbish left by fly tippers at known hot spot areas," added Mr Dunn.

"These teenagers are ruining their own environment."

Persistent offenders will be handed an acceptable behaviour contract, or an anti-social behaviour order in extreme cases.

Anyone with any information on arsonists can call police on 0845-606-0365 or Mr Dunn on 01388-602643.