A youth project aimed at reducing the number of deliberate grass fires has been launched.
Now in its fourth year, Project Bernie was unveiled by the Safer Caerphilly Community Safety Partnership on Friday March 28 at a special event at Morrisons in Bargoed.
In recent weeks, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service has seen a jump in the number of grass fires across Caerphilly County Borough in areas such as Rudry and Cefn Hengoed.
The Easter holidays is usually a key time for people to start deliberate grass fires – stretching fire crews unnecessarily.
Over six weeks, the scheme will hold a variety of activities for youngsters to help educate them in the dangers of setting deliberate fires. These include becoming a ‘Firefighter’ for the day, theatrical make-up workshops and DJ and rap workshops.
The authorities will also be conducting high visibility patrols in areas traditionally prone to grass fires.
The project has been funded by the Welsh Government’s Youth Crime Prevention Fund and the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent Ian Johnston.
Through his Partnership Fund, Mr Johnston awarded the project £12,000 to roll out the scheme across the Gwent Police force area.
He said: “The spate of deliberate grass and heath land fires in Gwent recently highlights exactly why projects such as this one are so essential. Young people need to realise that it’s a criminal offence to deliberately start fires and they need to understand the implications and how costly and dangerous it is. They are putting their own lives and the lives of other people at risk when they recklessly set fire to grass and heath land.
“I funded this project because it specifically supports some of the priorities outlined in my police and crime plan which are to reduce and prevent crime, take more effective action to reduce anti-social behaviour and to protect people from serious harm.”
Caerphilly Partnership Sergeant, Rob Davies added: “We want people to use the countryside responsibly and want them to know that if fires are set, than the police will take a robust stance with those involved in arson.”