FIREFIGHTERS in what is historically been one of the UK’s worst areas for arson have launched a campaign to reduce such incidents.

Called Stop Arson – Enough is Enough, Cleveland Fire Brigade estimates arson attacks have cost the people Teesside £42m over the last three years.

The good news is that there has been a 30 per cent drop arson from 2,931 in 2011 to 2,088 incidents last year.

However 71 per cent of all fires in Cleveland are still started deliberately.

The brigade chose Port Clarence as the launch location as it was the scene of one of the biggest arson fires last year, when the Jigsaw wood recycling plant was torched.

Firefighters worked round the clock for nine days to extinguish the blaze, which cost almost £750,000 and left the community shrouded in thick smoke.

Phil Lancaster, Director of Community Protection with Cleveland Fire Brigade, said: “Deliberate lighting of any fires will not and should not be tolerated by anyone and we have this other message: we are watching you and you will be caught.”

Jean Orridge, Headteacher of High Clarence Primary School, said: “Many of the children were frightened by seeing the fire so close to their homes and the school, and it was important that the community worked together to help the children feel safe again.”

Other aspects of the campaign include advertising, leaflets, posters, activities for youngsters, the use of social media and a competition. The Brigade has also produced a video to highlight the devastation caused by arson at www.clevelandfire.gov.uk/arson