By Russell Bennett
THE state’s top fireman has pleaded for residents in Gembrook, Cockatoo and Emerald to be on the lookout for arsonists in the run-up to the bushfire season.
Speaking last Thursday at the launch of a campaign to crack down on the potentially deadly criminals, Fire Services Commissioner Craig Lapsley said: “It’s important to understand that someone, somewhere will know an arsonist – they may be part of your family, they may be part of your neighbourhood.
“If they do know who they are, it’s in the best interests for them, for their families and for the community that they be reported.”
Mr Lapsley visited the Dandenong Ranges National Park in Upper Ferntree Gully with Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Kieran Walshe to announce the return of Operation Firesetter.
First championed last year, it will again focus on bushfire arson-prone areas Victoria Police has identified as ‘at risk’ in a state-wide push.
Mr Walshe said the area was one of the greatest risk areas for bushfire arson due to the combination of dense bushland and large population size.
Operation Firesetter is the biggest effort Victoria Police has ever made to identify and stop suspected arsonists.
Victoria Police, the CFA, the State Government and Crime Stoppers are banding together to eliminate the threat of deliberately lit blazes and punish those responsible.
Firesetter, which will run until the end of April next year, involves Victoria Police members knocking on doors of residents, visiting shopping centres, primary and secondary schools in bushfire-prone areas to educate the community on how it can help prevent and detect bushfire arson.
Mr Walshe said: “Dedicated police patrols will intensify across the state during periods of high fire danger, with special support by resources drawn from the operation response unit, to assist local police.
“Research indicates that the average age of an arsonist is around 26 years of age and 31 per cent are aged less than 18,” he said.
Mr Lapsley said this year’s strong rainfall would not have a bearing on blazes started by arsonists.
“When it comes to arsonists, I’m not sure they pick (according to) vegetation,” he said.
“If we understood the science of why they did it, we’d probably be on top of it but the opportunity is what arsonists actually take.
“It’s about the impact and what they wish to see from the fire they’ve lit.”
Deputy Premier and Emergency Services Minister Peter Ryan was also at the announcement near the popular 1000 Steps bushland tourist attraction.
He said it was vital the hills community had “a strong awareness of the threat of arsonists across the community.
“History tells us that, unfortunately, those who are arsonists are often living with the communities where they actually light fires.”
Hills residents who note any suspicious behaviour, particularly on Code Red fire days, should ring triple zero or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Calls can be anonymous.
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