FIRE chiefs have visited every school in West Dunbartonshire in a bid to tackle a fire-raising epidemic they blame on a rise in youth anti-social behaviour.

A report went before West Dunbartonshire Council’s Community Planning meeting in Dumbarton yesterday has revealed the number of deliberate blazes has skyrocketed by more then 100 incidents in the space of a year.

The figures show there were 490 incidents in 2016/17, up from 362 the previous year, with more than 50 of the increased incidents recorded in the Clydebank and Kilpatrick wards.

Fire bosses say the problem is made worse by improved weather and longer daylight hours.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service report reads: “Deliberate fire setting in West Dunbartonshire has historically been a significant problem that can be closely linked to anti-social behaviour.

“Secondary fires (refuse and grass) are a major priority and account for a high percentage of our operational activity, especially in the dry seasons, placing a huge strain on the SFRS ability to effectively provide its operational response to real emergencies.

“Working with partners we will identify areas of high operational demand and put in place measures to reduce demand and, where possible, hold those responsible to account.”

The Dumbarton and Lomond wards reported the highest increase across the local authority area – with Dumbarton jumping from 89 incidents in 2015/16 to 131 in 2016/17 – while the Leven ward spiked at 104, despite dipping to 70 in 15/16. The report added: “Analysis of data over this reporting year shows a spike in deliberate secondary fires occurring in Q1, these can be attribute to lighter nights, improved weather conditions and an increase in youth related anti-social behaviour.

“Q3 also displays a spike in deliberate secondary fires and accounts for a further 44 per cent of all secondary fires reported, youth related anti-social behaviour increased in the weeks before and after November 5.”

The SFRS said it would continue to work with Police Scotland to carry out education action plan to reduce the number of future incidents.

The report says: “Community Education is targeted to areas where the majority of deliberate fire setting occurs, in partnership with Police Scotland we have visited every secondary school in West Dunbartonshire, along with all P6 and P7 primary school pupils.

“We have utilised the youth group engagement process of Fire reach and the bespoke Firesetters programme that works on a one-to-one basis to engage young people in West Dunbartonshire.”

Meanwhile, the number of accidental dwelling fires and casualties caused by this type of blaze has fallen despite a peak in the same period last year.

Gil Paterson, Clydebank’s MSP, told the Post: “It is very disappointing that deliberate fire-raising has gone up. I condemn those who cause this damage to both other people’s and public property. It is a burden on the taxpayer and can divert emergency services away from more important incidents.”

Maurice Golden MSP for West Scotland added: “I am shocked to see this increase in deliberate fires.”