'˜I fear for my daughter's life' - Yobs set fire to Sheffield flat bin store for seventh time in two years
Jackie Slack says the block of flats where her 25-year-old daughter Stacey lives in a ground floor flat have been blighted by anti-social behaviour and arson attacks.
The most recent attack at the flats on Stones Inge, High Green, was on Sunday when firefighters from Tankersley were called out to deal with an arson attack at around 9.30pm.
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Hide AdStacey was out of her flat but during a previous arson attack on the bin stores firefighters had rescue her from her bed because she could not get out.
A senior South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue official said today arson attacks ‘cost lives’ and warned that culprits who have deliberately started fires have been sent to prison for murder.
Mum Jackie, 55, also from High Green, is now calling on Sheffield Council to install CCTV at the block of flats to deter arsonists from setting the bins alight.
Sheffield Council said it would open discussions with South Yorkshire Police to see if cameras would be an option in trying to deter anti-social behaviour.
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Hide AdJackie said: “The fires are not anything new, it’s happened seven times now and Stacey has lived there for just two and a half years and both the fire brigade and the council are well aware of it.
“I’m sick to death of it all and it worries me so much.
“I just want her to be safe sound in her own place but she’s frightened to death.”
Jackie added: “You don’t see police patrols knocking about anymore so it’s very unlikely won’t catch them in the act as you say.
“But surely installing CCTV will deter anyone who thinks it’s acceptable to set stuff on fire and if they do it again, the footage can be passed onto police where they can deal with it that way.”
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Hide AdA South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue spokesman said: “Starting fires is reckless and costs lives.
“In recent, high-profile, national cases, arson attacks where homes have been affected have resulted in murder convictions and substantial prison sentences.
“The maximum sentence for arson is life in prison and we’d encourage members of the public who know of people starting fires in their area to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
A Sheffield Council spokesman said: “We will discuss the request for CCTV with the police to assess if this is a viable option in this location. ”