County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service is urging parents to talk to their children about the dangers of arson after crews attended over 1,000 deliberate fires in just six months. The warning, posted on the service’s website, coincides with Anti-social Behaviour Awareness Week, which runs from 29 June to 5 July, and hot, dry conditions that are heightening the risk of wildfires across the region.
Firefighters were called to 1,043 deliberate blazes between January and June 2026, compared to the 3,103 deliberate fires recorded for the whole of 2025. Station Manager Billy McAloon said the summer holidays and warm weather typically bring a spike in incidents, and that what begins as a moment of mischief can quickly escalate into a serious incident, putting lives, homes, businesses and the environment at risk. The service is holding drop-in sessions at Darlington Fire Station and South Park during the awareness week, giving residents a chance to raise concerns directly with crews and partners.
The push for awareness comes as the service, Durham Constabulary and Darlington Borough Council step up joint patrols in hotspot areas. Superintendent Dean Haythornthwaite of Durham Constabulary noted that neighbourhood teams have delivered an extra 14,000 hours of high-visibility patrols in the last year through Operation Pave. Firefighters have also visited more than 70 schools across the service area in 2026 to talk to young people about the legal and personal consequences of setting fires, which can jeopardise future education and job prospects.
Residents can report information about deliberate fires anonymously through FireStoppers on 0800 169 5558 or at www.firestoppersreport.co.uk. The service was the first in the UK to adopt the dedicated reporting line, and partnership meetings such as local PACT sessions offer another way for residents to flag antisocial behaviour.
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