Community groups with innovative ideas to help reduce nuisance fires are being offered grants of up to £3,000 from Cleveland Fire Brigade.

Figures show 85 per cent of Cleveland’s fire calls are related to deliberate fires – the highest in the country – and divert resources away from other emergencies where lives may be at risk, after nearly 4,000 deliberate fires occurred in the brigade area in 2021.

The projects can include diversionary activities for young people, new physical structures or local cleaning. 

Applicants must fit in with at least one of the following criteria:

  • Reduce the number of incidents of arson
  • Reduce the opportunity for people to deliberately set fires
  • Reduce violence to Fire Brigade staff

Read more: Groups of youth 'deliberately setting fires and attacking firefighters' in Middlesbrough

Helen Winskill, Commissioned Services Manager, said: “We are looking for projects with innovative approaches to engage with people who are setting fires or projects that reduce the opportunity for arsonists to start fires.

“The ideas will be targeted on hotspot areas across Cleveland and application packs will include full guidance notes and outline these areas. All projects will be evaluated to see if they have a positive impact on reducing deliberate fires.

"We know where the fires are happening. We need your help to prevent them.”

For more information contact smallgrants@clevelandfire.gov.uk.

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