North Yorkshire children taught about dangers of deliberately starting fires
Firefighters are going into schools to talk to pupils
Firefighters are going into schools in North Yorkshire to teach children about the dangers of deliberately starting fires.
It follows a rise in reports, particularly in and around York.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service is joining forces with North Yorkshire Police and several local organisations to launch Operation Fire-Safe, a new initiative aimed at tackling the growing issue.
The measures being rolled out include increased police patrols in high-risk areas, school visits, youth engagement, and targeted educational interventions.
Watch Manager Simon Wy of North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service described the initiative as a collaborative approach to prevention: “Operation Fire-Safe is about education, engagement, and enforcement. Even small fires can spread quickly and unpredictably, putting lives in danger. We want to ensure that young people understand the real consequences of their actions—before someone gets hurt.”
Acting Sergeant Ben Ambler of North Yorkshire Police echoed these concerns:
“Deliberate fires are not harmless pranks—they are criminal offences. Over the past month, fire crews have had to deal with numerous small fires, stretching their resources and placing communities at risk. We are taking this very seriously.”