South Yorkshire fire crews dealt with several arson attacks overnight.

These included:

A skip fire on Gaunt Road, Sheffield at around 8pm
A car set alight on California Crescent, Barnsley at around 7pm
A rubbish fire on Biscay Way, Wath-upon-Dearne at around 8pm
A car fire on Street Lane, Doncaster at around 9.30pm

Deliberate fires have halved in South Yorkshire over the last 10 years, but work to reduce arson continues. This includes  education work in schools, putting on diversionary activities for young people and working with our partners at the police to reduce anti-social behaviour.

Starting fires is reckless and costs lives. Even small fires like bin and grass fires can quickly spread, putting people and property at risk. In recent, high-profile, national cases, arson attacks on homes 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.”