FIREFIGHTERS have formed an action group to combat hoax calls and arson.
Mick Brighton, manager of the arson task force with the county's fire and rescue service said: "We aim to increase awareness by the public of the causes and dangers."
The fire service was working with the county council, seven district councils, including Ryedale and York City Council, eight crime reduction and disorder partnerships, businesses, the farming industry and police.
"We are currently having eight crime reduction and disorder partnership audits carried out in the county with the aim of reducing the number of arson cases and hoax calls by ten per cent by 2010," said Mr Brighton.
"We are also developing the fire service education programme with an increasing emphasis on arson and hoax calls."
Mr Brighton said that, in particular, schools were being targeted.
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