FIREFIGHTERS are getting on their bikes to tackle South Yorkshire's arson epidemic.
South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service is giving firefighters bikes to get into the community talking to residents and monitoring arson hotspots - in a scheme believed to be one of the first of its kind in the country.
Eighty per cent of all South Yorkshire blazes are arson attacks - but a pilot scheme in Barnsley saw a 37 per cent reduction in arson attacks over the summer school holidays.
Now a number of other fire stations across South Yorkshire are to receive specialist mountain bikes, bringing the total available to 25.
Firefighters will cycle into communities to monitor arson hotspots and look for other potential troublespots so work can be done to make them less appealing to arsonists.
Chief Superintendent Jon House, responsible for the policing of Sheffield and co-chairman of Sheffield Safer Communities Partnership, which funded 12 bikes, said the scheme was aimed at cutting crime and anti-social behaviour. He said: "The firefighters along with police community support officers on bikes will provide a visible presence and reassurance to communities."
Fire service arson intervention officer Dave Bedford said: "This scheme allows firefighters to highlight the consequences of fire related anti-social behaviour and discouraging young people from participating in such acts.
"The bikes are most crucial for engaging with young people. They can easily go off-road and into areas where young people congregate, and they also provide a talking point.
"Firefighters already work with youngsters either in school or through initiatives targeted at those who've been in trouble with the law, but with the bikes they can reach out to them in their own environment.
"In areas where the bikes are already in use, the firefighters are building a rapport with youngsters, discouraging crime and anti-social behaviour, and also making youngsters enthusiastic about biking, getting fit and other meaningful interests."
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