Authorities set new approach to tackling spate of grass fires

There have been further reports of people deliberately setting fire to areas of grassland across south Wales.

A major conference was recently held to agree a new approach on tackling the vast number of grassland fires that have threatened communities right across Wales.

Since the beginning of the month, firefighters have dealt with 1,200 fires that were deliberately started.

Read More: Crimestoppers offer £5,000 reward for information on deliberate grass fires

Two boys, aged 15 from Newport, have been arrested on suspicion of arson following a grass fire in the Gaer area of Newport last week.

They have since been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Police are asking anyone with information on grass fires to come forward.

It comes as Crimstoppers announced a reward up of to £5,000 for information on deliberate grass fires across south Wales.

A major conference has been held to agree a new approach on tackling the vast number of grassland fires that have threatened communities right across Wales.
Since the beginning of the month fire fighters have dealt with 1,200 fires that were deliberately started. Crimestoppers are offering up to £5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those behind the incidents. Richard Morgan reports.

Around 45 firefighters and eight engines tackled the grassfire blaze on the mountain above Godre’r Graig in the Swansea Valley on Tuesday.

The fire began around 8am before spreading across 176 hectares of grass, gorse and forestry which were destroyed.

Emergency services believe the fire was started deliberately and urge people with information to call the police.

Fire crews across Wales have had another busy night tackling grass fires.

In the North firefighters are still at the scene of a blaze at Llandecwyn near Harlech having been called out at around 7pm. The fire front is said to be half a mile wide.

Crews will return to the scene later of two fires at Foel Mountain near Cwmafan and at Godr'r Graig near Pontardawe.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service has been called out to incidents at Newport, Maesteg, Abertillery, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Cross Keys, Trehafod and Mountain Ash.

The Welsh Government has announced it will hold a summit next week to tackle the outbreak of grass fires that have blighted south Wales over the last month.

The First Minister, Carwyn Jones, will meet with key players to "discuss and formulate" a programme of action.

Communities affected by grass fires are "rightly angry and want action taken" says the Welsh Government's Minister for Public Services.

In a statement on Tuesday leighton Andrews said tackling "this menace must mean much more than just fighting fires or prosecuting offenders. It needs robust action at the community level to divert people away from setting fires, and to identify and expose those who do."

Mr Andrews outlined what measures are being taken to tackle the problem, they include:

• South Wales Fire and Rescue Service is working with Rhondda Cynon Taf Council to deliver a hard-hitting presentation to all secondary schools setting out the impact that these fires have, and making sure that young people understand the seriousness of these crimes
• The Service is also co-ordinating links with community groups such as the Bicycle Doctor in Porth, Wildfire FOA in RCT, and the Grass Fire and Mountain Fire Prevention Teams in Caerphilly, RCT and elsewhere
• The Welsh Government will co-ordinate action working with the Fire Service, the Police, schools, Local Authorities and Natural Resources Wales.

A "warning shot" has been fired by South Wales Police Deputy Chief Constable Matt Jukes to those intent on causing grass fires across the region.

• More: Police arrest children in grass fire outbreaks

He told ITV News that he promises to take "robust action wherever possible" on those caught setting their communities alight.