The Community Safety Partnership in Dacorum, Hertfordshire, has made arson the number one antisocial problem to wipe out this summer. It has adopted a zero tolerance approach, with a "one strike and you're out" message that makes it clear offenders may face a hefty fine or custodial sentence if caught.
Last year, more than six deliberate fires were started every day in the Hertfordshire borough during the school holidays compared to about one a day during term-time.
Danny Rickett, area manager for Dacorum Fire Service, said: "The number of incidents peaked last year and we are determined to stamp out the problem. Not only are deliberate fires a big cost to the community, they divert resources away from other fires.
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