Wildfires

Part of 2. Questions to the Minister for Housing and Local Government – in the Senedd at 2:25 pm on 17 July 2019.

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Photo of Hannah Blythyn Hannah Blythyn Labour 2:25, 17 July 2019

For your constituency you raise that you live with that apprehension about potential wildfires. Deliberately set grass fires of any shape or size are totally unacceptable. They're irresponsible, dangerous and criminal. They not only put communities at risk, but they put them in that position of fear, which is why the preventative approach is so, so important. We do full collaboration with schools, police and other agencies, but also other programmes such as Crimes and Consequences, and the Phoenix Project works with small groups that are identified as being at risk of offending to try and reduce that offending as well, and target that support, training and funding in those cases.

Also, we do hear of cases where they've been deliberately set by young people, but there are also cases perhaps when it's arisen from a landowner themselves as well. So, it's actually about keeping going with that cross-partnership working and looking at the preventative agenda. Sure, if any Members have any further evidence or suggestions in terms of how we could take that forward, I'm always happy to receive them as well.