Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 10/02/2004 12:00

Project Hawkeye is an initiative from The Arson Task Force and is aimed at reducing the number of unauthorised deliberate fires in the countryside. The project is being launched on the Lizard and will be rolled out across the rest of Cornwall and into Devon.

The Arson Task Force is a partnership between Cornwall County Fire Brigade, Devon & Cornwall Constabulary, Devon Fire & Rescue Service and the Isles of Scilly Fire Brigade.

PC Gareth Twigg of the Task Force explains: “Inappropriate deliberately set fires in the countryside, many of which involve gorse and grassland, cause untold economic and environmental damage. These incidents have posed a significant risk to life, homes and other property as well as killing animals and destroying natural habitats. Fires can cause disruption to the traffic network, tourist industry and the community at large.”

Station Officer Pete Sandel, also of the Task Force, added: “The cost to the Fire & Rescue Service can be phenomenal, with a single incident sometimes running into many thousands of pounds. When firefighters are tackling a gorse blaze it means that the fire cover for other parts of the community is compromised.”

PC Twigg continued: “Fires such as these may constitute an offence under the Criminal Damage Act, the Wildlife & Countryside Act or under relevant regulations/bye laws.”
Many landowners/commoners quite legitimately use fire to clear areas of open land within certain dates. These fires are generally well organised with appropriate precautions in place. Those organising legitimate swaling are reminded to notify the Fire & Rescue Service in advance. Project Hawkeye is designed to tackle firesetting outside of this bracket.

The Project promotes the Crimestoppers number 0800 555111 to encourage anyone with any information regarding deliberate fires in the countryside to ring in. Any small snippet of intelligence can assist in identifying those responsible. Crimestoppers is an independent charity. Calls to crimestoppers are generally free (though there may be a charge when using some mobile networks). Callers do not have to give their name and may be eligible for a cash reward following a successful prosecution.

PC Twigg said: “We aim to identify offenders and prosecute. The maximum penalty for arson is life imprisonment.”

Project Hawkeye posters will be sited in rural areas and leaflets distributed throughout the community.