Firefighters across County Durham and Darlington are warning young people about the dangers of deliberately starting fires, after crews responded to 1,043 deliberate blazes between January and June 2026.

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) issued the warning ahead of Anti-social Behaviour Awareness Week, running from June 29 to July 5, 2026. The warning comes as warm and dry conditions increase the risk of wildfires across the region.

The service attended a total of 3,103 deliberate fires across the whole of 2025, with crews repeatedly called to fires at the same locations.

Why the warning now

Station Manager Billy McAloon said: "During the school holidays and when the weather is nice, we typically see a spike in the number of deliberate incidents we attend.

"We want to remind young people and members of the public that setting fire to things like grass or bins is not a game. What may start as a moment of mischief can quickly escalate into a serious incident, putting lives, homes, businesses and the environment at risk."

When firefighters are called to extinguish preventable fires, response times to other emergencies — including house fires, road traffic collisions, and incidents where lives are at immediate risk — can be delayed.

Prevention and enforcement

CDDFRS has visited more than 70 schools across the service area this year to educate young people about the dangers of arson. Crews have also worked with partners and police to carry out patrols in areas where deliberate fires are most common.

Station Manager McAloon stressed that arson is a crime. "We are encouraging parents and families to talk to their children and young people about the dangers and serious consequences of setting deliberate fires," he said. "Prosecution is possible, and it may have lasting implications for future education and employment opportunities."

Community engagement in Darlington

During Anti-social Behaviour Awareness Week, firefighters in Darlington are teaming up with Darlington Borough Council and Durham Constabulary to give residents the chance to discuss antisocial behaviour concerns.

Residents can meet crews at Darlington Fire Station on Monday, June 29 from 1pm to 3pm, and at South Park on Wednesday, July 1, from 10am to 12pm.

Superintendent Dean Haythornthwaite, head of neighbourhood policing for Durham Constabulary, said: "Everyone has a right to feel safe in their community and tackling antisocial behaviour remains a priority for Durham Constabulary. We understand the impact antisocial behaviour can have on communities and are committed to responding where concerns are raised."

Report a fire

Anyone with information on deliberate fires in their area can report it anonymously by calling FireStoppers on 0800 169 5558 or visiting www.firestoppersreport.co.uk