A fire brigade group is declaring war on arsonists in North Yorkshire.

The North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has already introduced initiatives to cut the number of cases and has seen a ten per cent drop over the past 12 months.

Now a Government funding package has allowed the brigade to set up a dedicated Arson Task Force.

Officers will aim to forge strengthened partnerships with police and community safety teams to assist in criminal investigations and to share data and intelligence.

The unit will also help remove abandoned cars and promote the importance of security at properties which may otherwise attract fire-starters.

"North Yorkshire doesn't have a particular problem with arson, it's no better or worse than anywhere else,'' said task force spokesman, Mick Brighton.

"However, what we want to emphasise is that arson is a serious crime which rates second only to murder on the scale of punishment.

"Offenders can face a life sentence if they are caught and we want to assure anyone who starts a fire and puts lives at risk that the brigade will do everything in its power to ensure the police can throw the book at them.''

Mr Brighton said that because fewer homes have coal fires children do not always learn about the dangers of playing with matches or lighters from a young age.

The task force will send representatives to school to ensure their message hits home.

"The problem is often a fascination with fire or that people believe they can control it when the truth is that they simply don't understand the nature of the beast,'' said Mr Brighton. "When you're young, it may seem harmless enough to set fire to a small pile of rubbish as a prank.

"But, if it spreads, you can soon end up in court and, if you are labelled an arsonist, that will be with you for ever.

"It may be that you didn't mean it to happen but, suddenly, it's a real possibility that no one will want to give you a job or be associated with you any more.''