FIRE chiefs have visited every school in West Dunbartonshire in a bid to tackle a fire-raising epidemic they blame on a rise in youth anti-social behaviour.

A report set to go before West Dunbartonshire Council’s Community Planning meeting in Dumbarton tomorrow has revealed the number of deliberate blazes has skyrocketed by more then 100 incidents in the space of a year.

The figures show there were 490 incidents in 2016/17, up from 362 the previous year.

Leven has spiked at 104 incidents from April to March 2016/17 – despite dipping at 70 in 15/16 – whilst Dumbarton has jumped from 89 incidents in 2015/16 to 131.

It’s the second year in a row the wards have peaked at the top of the list across the area for this type of fire, with Leven reporting its highest ever rating in four years.

Fire bosses say the problem is made worse by improved weather and longer daylight hours.

Now Dumbarton and the Vale’s MSP Jackie Baillie is appealing for increased co-operation among the agencies ahead of the summer holiday. Ms Baillie said: “Deliberate fire-raising is one of the worst forms of anti-social behaviour. It is completely irresponsible and it needs to be stamped out.

“There is a risk that, as the summer approaches, we will see more of this kind of dangerous behaviour across Dumbarton and the Vale of Leven in the months to come.

“The engagement programme taking place in local schools is welcome but we all need to work closely with the Fire Service and Police Scotland to ensure that deliberate fire-raising is not tolerated in West Dunbartonshire.”

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service report reads: “Deliberate fire setting in West Dunbartonshire has historically been a significant problem that can be closely linked to anti-social behaviour.

“Secondary fires (refuse and grass) are a major priority and account for a high percentage of our operational activity, especially in the dry seasons, placing a huge strain on the SFRS ability to effectively provide its operational response to real emergencies.

“Working with partners we will identify areas of high operational demand and put in place measures to reduce demand and, where possible, hold those responsible to account.”

The Dumbarton and Lomond wards reported the highest increase across the local authority area – with Dumbarton jumping from 89 incidents in 2015/16 to 131 in 2016/17 – while the Leven ward spiked at 104, despite dipping to 70 in 15/16.

It’s the second year in a row the two wards have peaked at the top of the list across the area for this type of fire, with Leven reporting its highest ever rating in four years.

The report added: “Analysis of data over this reporting year shows a spike in deliberate secondary fires occurring in Q1, these can be attribute to lighter nights, improved weather conditions and an increase in youth related anti-social behaviour.

“Q3 also displays a spike in deliberate secondary fires and accounts for a further 44 per cent of all secondary fires reported, youth related anti-social behaviour increased in the weeks before and after November 5.”

The SFRS said it would continue to work with Police Scotland to carry out education action plan to reduce the number of future incidents.

The report says: “Community Education is targeted to areas where the majority of deliberate fire setting occurs, in partnership with Police Scotland we have visited every secondary school in West Dunbartonshire, along with all P6 and P7 primary school pupils.

“We have utilised the youth group engagement process of Fire reach and the bespoke Firesetters programme that works on a one-to-one basis to engage young people in West Dunbartonshire.

“The Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Fire Reduction Sub group meets fortnightly throughout the year, working in collaboration we share intelligence and resources in order to reduce instances of fire related ASB.”

Meanwhile, the number of accidental dwelling fires and casualties caused by this type of blaze has fallen despite a peak in the same period last year.

Leven councillor Jim Bollan blamed the increase on disenfranchised kids who has claims have been thrown

on the scrapheap by the UK government’s austerity measures.

He said: “It comes as no surprise that as the Tory austerity measures deepen and become more brutal that these types of offences will grow.

“The Tories have disenfranchised and excluded so many people, including many young people from getting a proper start in life that a miniscule minority will show their disillusionment and anger with a system that puts them on the scrapheap while the gap between the rich and the poor widens dramatically.”

A spokesperson for Scottish Fire and Rescue said: “The SFRS has committed to reducing the risks to our communities within West Dunbartonshire.

“This has been supported by ensuring that vital front line operational capabilities are maintained at an appropriate level of preparedness at all times.

“It is gratifying to note that we have continued to see a reduction in accidental dwelling fires, and that the majority of those which have occurred were minor in nature and that in the majority of cases those persons involved suffered minor injuries.”