Summit called to tackle deliberate grass fires

Plans to tackle deliberate grass fires were set out today during a summit of key players who want to prevent a repeat of the recent levels of damage.

The First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones, Public Services Minister Leighton Andrews, Education & Skills Minister Huw Lewis and Natural Resources Minister Carl Sargeant met with representatives from Gwent Police, South Wales Police, South Wales Fire & Rescue Service, Mid & West Wales Fire & Rescue Service, Natural Resources Wales, relevant Local Authorities and the Met Office to discuss the recent increase in incidents.

First Minister Carwyn Jones said:

“Today’s summit was an important step in continuing the collaborative work needed to reduce this dangerous, destructive and criminal behaviour.

“While the number of deliberate grass fires is declining in the long term, since the start of April we have seen a significant number across Wales, especially in South Wales.

“I commend the FRS, and individual firefighters, for their response to these outbreaks and welcome the tough stance taken by South Wales Police, but I recognise that the Welsh Government also has an important role to play.

“Today we set out a programme of co-ordinated action across Government, the Fire Service, the Police, schools, Local Authorities and Natural Resources Wales. We formulated a clear and co-ordinated programme of action for the short, medium and long-term.
Public Service Minister Leighton Andrews said:

“Communities themselves want to be involved in the fight against these crimes. Already, community groups have come forward to support the Fire Service – groups such as the Bicycle Doctor in Porth, Wildfire FOA in RCT, and the Grass Fire and Mountain Fire Prevention Teams in Caerphilly, RCT and elsewhere.  I fully support them, and I know the Fire Service does too. We want to harness their energy and enthusiasm in deterring perpetrators causing fires on our hillsides.

“Today’s summit raised important issues. We will continue to work with our partners in this area in establishing what changes are needed in education, better surveillance, tougher sanctions and better land management to break this cultural and seasonal cycle.”