FIRE chiefs have issued a warning after crews were called to more than 380 incidents of arsonists torching fly-tipped rubbish in Wirral.

They have united with the council to urge householders not to dump their waste in alleyways - and are asking the public to be vigilant and report fly-tippers.

The calls follow reports that between April and December last year the service attended 388 deliberately-set refuse fires across the borough.

Wirral’s fire service arson officer Mike Buratti said: "Dumped refuse damages the reputation of an area, encourages crime and anti-social behaviour, and can attract vermin.

"Deliberate refuse fires can spread quickly and are unpredictable.

"Fires we attend are investigated and people should be aware it is a crime to deliberately start fires.

"We work closely with the police and to identify those responsible, and if caught, perpetrators will be prosecuted."

While carrying out regular home fire safety checks fire crews will ask the public to report waste and fly-tipping to prevent danger to life, property and the environment.

COUNCIL CRACKDOWN

In December Wirral Council announced a tough new approach to tackling fly-tipping as part of its pledge to maintain an attractive local environment.

This includes a commitment to use new powers to issue fixed penalty notices to householders who are caught dumping small amounts of rubbish in public areas.

Previously the authority would have had to prosecute people through the courts.

But they can now issue on-the-spot penalty notices of £200 for lower level fly-tipping.

Council environment chief Cllr Bernie Mooney said: “Fly-tipping and alleyway dumping has a really detrimental impact on neighbourhoods.

“The new regulations are aimed at those who deliberately dump small amounts of waste in the street or in alleyways and will allow officers to deal with these offences there and then, rather than have to take them through a lengthy and costly court process.”

You can report fly-tipping on council land online by clicking here.