Stickers Used To Target Arson Caused By Fly-Tipping
26 January 2012
The SaferPeterborough partnership has launched a sticker
initiative in a bid to help prevent arson caused by discarded
refuse.
A total of 123 fires involving refuse and other flammable items
have been deliberately started in Peterborough since April
2011.
The fires are caused by people fly-tipping, or leaving flammable
items outside their homes where they attract arsonists.
Deliberately started fires threaten the lives of residents and
taxpayers foot the bill to extinguish the fire and repair the
damage.
Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue
Service, Cambridgeshire Constabulary and
Peterborough City
Council are working together as part of the SaferPeterborough
partnership to tackle the problem.
From next month, whenever refuse such as old fridges, bulky
sofas or flammable beds are seen littering the front gardens of
homes in the city, an A4 florescent sticker will be applied to the
item stating:
“FIRE HAZARD – Please remove immediately. Failure to
remove within seven days could lead to enforcement action taken
against you. For advice call 01733 747474.”
If the items have not been removed by the householder within the
seven day period, they can expect to receive a legal notice or a
fine if the notice is ignored.
Mark Bennett-Tighe, Risk Manager for Cambridgeshire Fire and
Rescue Service said: “We are calling for the people of Peterborough
to help us reduce arson. It is common sense that if there is
nothing on the streets to set fire to, then arson incidents will
decrease.”
David Marshall, Senior Neighbourhood Enforcement Officer at
Peterborough City Council, said: “If the item has not been cleared
by the householder within seven days then they will receive a legal
notice instructing removal of it. Failure to comply at this stage
will result in the occupant being charged for the cost of
clearance.
“If the invoice is not paid then a land charge will be placed
against the property. This means the outstanding charge will have
to be paid to the city council at the point of future sale of the
property.
“There is an ample amount of facilities available to dispose of
waste legally. They include the Householder’s
Recycling Centre in Dogsthorpe, Recycling Bring
Banks that are situated around the city and the Bulky Waste Collection
Service.”
Media contact: Pep Cipriano, SaferPeterborough Communications
Manager- telephone 01733 452551 or email pep.cipriano@peterborough.gov.uk
Notes for editors
1. SaferPeterborough is a partnership of
organisations that work together to reduce crime and anti-social
behaviour, to ensure that Peterborough is a place where people feel
safe. Its priorities cover serious acquisitive crime, anti-social
behaviour, domestic abuse, violent crime (including alcohol-related
crime and disorder), sexual offences, road safety, hate crime,
arson and substance misuse.
2. The partners include Peterborough City
Council, NHS Peterborough, Cambridgeshire Constabulary,
Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, Cambridgeshire Police
Authority and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Probation Trust.