DELIBERATE fires around Ayrshire have been branded ‘absolutely unacceptable’ after recent figures were released.

In total, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) were called to 351 fires across the county and almost 3,000 across the whole of Scotland between March and April last year.

However, this has dropped from the previous year which amounted to 357 deliberate fires being set in Ayrshire, and a number of the fires were set in outdoor areas such as fields, refuse, and the countryside.

Assistant Chief Officer David McGown, SFRS Director of Prevention and Protection, said: “These figures are absolutely unacceptable.

“Firefighters exist to protect their communities and yet they are being put at risk by a very small minority of people within those communities who deliberately set fires.

“Let’s be very clear – fire can cause injury, damage properties and affect the environment, not to mention the potential impact on businesses and the economy.

“The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service therefore operates a strict zero tolerance approach to deliberate fire raising.

“I urge the public to continue to support their firefighters by reporting any fire related anti-social behaviour because there are always people out there in need of our assistance at genuine emergencies – and every second counts.”

As a result of these figures, SFRS will be working in close partnership with Police Scotland and councils to promote public safety.

Assistant Chief Officer David McGown, added: “We will continue to work very closely with our police and local authority partners to ensure that those responsible are identified and dealt with accordingly.

“It absolutely goes without saying that we prefer to prevent fires – not fight fires.

“Our firefighters work extremely hard to engage with the public and promote safety messages, and parents and carers can also help by making sure that children and young people are aware of the risks.

“Ensuring you are aware of where the children or young people you look after are and what they are doing can help keep everyone safe from deliberate fires.”