In a statement, the council said this was largely down to “teenage anti-social behaviour”, and warned that people were putting themselves at risk.
The council explained that Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service had reported the spike in deliberate fires, which includes 50 fires in the West Denton area of Newcastle.
Firefighters say they have been working closely with property management organisation Your Homes Newcastle to secure their resident’s bins, particularly during the Easter holidays last week.
‘Top priority’
Ed Foster, head of public safety and regulation at Newcastle city council, said: “Tackling and preventing anti-social behaviour is a top priority for us as we know the detrimental impact it can have on the lives of our residents.
“Setting fire to wheelie bins is incredibly dangerous and the attacks put unnecessary pressures on resources.
“Everybody should feel safe in their own home and in their neighbourhoods so we will continue to working closely with our partners to identify the offenders and keep our communities safe.”
We are experiences issues with wheelie bin fires across the service area
- Station Manager Ian Stewart
Bins
The council explained that replacement bins from IPL cost £25.
Residents have been advised to take steps to secure their bins, “perhaps by chaining them together”.
However, the fire service warned residents to avoid chaining bins to their home “as this could put your home at risk if the bins are set alight”.
Station manager Ian Stewart of the fire service said: “We are experiencing issues with wheelie bin fires across the service area and we are working closely with police, the local authority and housing providers to address it.
“Many of these bin fires are linked to youth anti-social behaviour and we are concerned that some young people are putting themselves at risk.
“They may consider this to be harmless fun but it leaves the taxpayer out of pocket, residents with no bin and young people are putting themselves at risk.
“We are proactively looking to engage with young people and signpost them towards some of the great activities available in the community.”
Police
The police urged anyone who knows those responsible for deliberate fires in their areas can report it to the police through the Tell Us Something pages of their website.
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