Deliberate fires in Aberdeenshire risking lives
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A warning has been made that lives are being put needlessly at risk after emergency services were called to more than 800 deliberate fires in Aberdeenshire over the last four years.
Scottish Conservative candidate for Banffshire and Buchan Coast in the 2021 Holyrood elections, Mark Findlater, said the "reckless" acts are endangering lives across the region.
New figures from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service show there have been 844 deliberate fires across Aberdeenshire over the last four years.
The most, 108, have happened in Peterhead North and Rattray while a further 89 have occurred in Peterhead South and Cruden.
Crews have been called to 65 in Troup, 63 in Fraserburgh, 58 in Banff, 50 in Ellon, 48 in Huntly and 35 in Turriff.
Mr Findlater said: “The figures are shocking and highlight the problems these incidents are causing for our communities in areas across Aberdeenshire.
“This year, we have seen a series of deliberate fires in places such as Banff – it’s extremely concerning.
“These reckless incidents harm communities and put lives needlessly in danger.
“Fire attacks like these also take crews away from other incidents where people may require urgent assistance.
“The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service do a fantastic job in Aberdeenshire but these incidents have a huge drain on crews.”
