31 October 2008, 08/247
Bin cupboards to be protected from arson
attacks
Work is to start next month (November) on improving bin
cupboards in parts of Skelmersdale following a spate of arson
attacks.
West Lancashire District Council has been working closely with
the Police and Lancashire Fire and Rescue to tackle the problem of
people deliberately setting alight the storage sheds in New Church
Farm.
Although the current plastic cladding used in the bin cupboards
meets all the current building and fire regulations, the problem is
that arsonists had been setting fire to the rubbish stored inside,
causing major hazards.
As a result, the Council has contracted Paintway Limited to take
down the plastic cladding and replace it with brickwork to ensure
that they are much safer from potential fire attacks.
The programme of works is due to start on 27 November and is
likely to take about 12 weeks to complete.
Cllr Val Hopley, Portfolio Holder for Housing, said: "The safety
of our tenants is one of our main priorities. Arson is an extremely
serious and dangerous; it is also a criminal offence. We intend to
nip this offence in the bud. We have decided to carry out these
works in order to eliminate as many fire risks as possible and to
stop arsonists in their tracks."
Letters will be sent to tenants informing them of the works. We
will also be informing tenants that tenancy enforcement action will
be taken against arsonists if caught and they are from a
Council-owned property. If there is any vandalism during the works
we would take similar action.
In the meantime, residents are being urged them to keep their
bin cupboards secure so that this type of attack cannot take
place.
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