North Wales Fire and Rescue Service is pleased reveal that arson incidents on Ynys Môn have dropped by 34% following their work with partners to reduce malicious fires on the Island.

This success, in the year until April 2012, comes despite concerns that there would be an increase due to the difficult economic climate.

Tony Matthews, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service's Partnership Manager for Ynys Môn, said: "Excellent progress has been made and collaborative working has allowed numerous agencies to innovatively support a reduction in deliberate fires."

Local Authorities, CCTV monitoring, Area Crime and Disorder Groups, Wales Probation Service, Neighbourhood Police Teams, the Arson Reduction Team and specialist fire investigators have contributed to this success.  

Tony added: "The Island is renowned for having outstanding scenery both on the coastline and further inland including protected sites of special scientific interest.  Arson is a wasteful destructive crime, this irresponsible behaviour has serious implications and has a negative impact on those living, working or visiting Ynys Môn.

"I'm pleased that projects across the County aimed at tackling the menace of arson are proving effective.  The incidence of arson has reduced in almost all categories and this is very encouraging.  But, our efforts will now be redoubled and new initiatives such as School Watch, moveable CCTV cameras and other methods of deterrent or detection will assist us to reduce arson even further."

Fire risk management should be fundamental to all business and planning to avoid arson attacks will help businesses protect themselves and their staff from these potentially business-destroying incidents.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service takes any arson extremely seriously and we want to reassure residents that we will do all we can to trace those responsible and ensure they are prosecuted accordingly.

More advice on how to protect yourself and your business from arson can be found on the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service's bilingual website www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk .