A spate of deliberate, small fires has been providing an unwelcome distraction for Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service in Ledbury.
“There have been around 25 calls to this type of fire this year,” said Watch Commander Rich Cooper of Ledbury Fire Station.
“They usually involve wood being set on fire in rubbish bins or in shopping trolleys.
“While we are attending this type of incident, we are being prevented from attending potentially more serious calls and they also provide an unnecessary disruption to the home and work life of our on-call firefighters.
“The individuals who started these fires were also abusive to our crew when they came to put the fire out and this is something they should not have to contend with.
“Ledbury people who see individuals preparing to light a fire in a bin or a trolley are asked, in the first instance, to call 101.”