Car arsons on decline

Figures released by North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service show that in 2004/2005 there were 112 deliberate vehicle fires in the city, compared to 203 the year before - a reduction of 45 per cent.

The Evening Press recently reported that in North Yorkshire as a whole, 3,203 vehicles were set alight deliberately between May 1997 and September 2004 - 36 each month.

York fire chief Graham Buckle today welcomed the recent reduction - but warned against complacency.

"From our perspective, when the new directive on vehicle disposal was brought in we suddenly saw a massive increase in cars being abandoned because people wouldn't pay that much to have them scrapped," he said.

"One of our major tasks was to reduce the numbers and we've managed to do that by working with Safer York Partnership."

Mr Buckle said the reduction was largely due to City of York Council's York Pride Action Line, which had ensured that vehicles were recovered much quicker.

"We're also going round the schools and colleges educating young people to be more aware of the issue," he said.

"We're obviously very pleased, but not complacent.

"I'm confident we can reduce the figure even more if we don't take our eye off the ball."

The total number of deliberate car fires within York and North Yorkshire from September, 2004, until June 8, 2005, was 259.

Safer York Partnership boss Jane Mowat said: "I am delighted to learn of these impressive reductions in the number of vehicle fires which is identified as one of the priorities in our Community Safety Plan.

"Our data capture system has assisted in highlighting the hot spot areas for action, and the City of York Council's York Pride team has worked tirelessly to reduce vehicle removal times. It is another excellent example of partnership in action."

Some 300,000 cars are abandoned every year nationally, costing local authorities £26m to remove them and trace their owners.

Updated: 08:27 Friday, June 24, 2005