Fires involving rubbish fuel rise in arson attacks

The fire service saw the number of deliberate fires almost double in the first quarter of 2025

Arson attack incidents were almost 100% higher between April and June in 2025 compared to the same period last year, new figures show.

A report for Shropshire Fire Authority (SFA) reveals fire crews attended 98 deliberate blazes in that period, compared to 52 in the same period in 2024.

The "vast majority" of blazes involved rubbish or wheelie bins, said the SFA report, which was presented to authority members this week.

At the same time though, fires involving buildings and vehicles fell by 16.6% and fire engines got to fires on time 94% of the time.

The report noted "figures were impacted by patterns of arson in Oakengates and Telford generally, and a number of incidents at Stoke Heath Prison".

Authority members also heard the total number of fires in that period rose by just over 19%, partly due to a 22.5% increase in rubbish-related fires.

Scott Hurford, of Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, told the meeting there had been a notable spike in anti-social behaviour in Oakengates and the area's mayor Stephen Reynolds, said the town council had been "bombarded with issues".

The number of injuries to fire officers was in line with previous years, Mr Hurford said.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.