A reduction in arson attacks across South Yorkshire has been put down to youth work.
Fires started deliberately over the last three years have halved, with firefighters attending 2,527 small nuisance bin and grass fires last year compared to 5,082 three years ago.
Fire chiefs believe community work, including youth projects, is responsible for the reduction.
Steve Helps, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue’s head of prevention and protection said: “We are convinced that engaging with young people through targeted interventions like youth club work, education initiatives and fire station based learning projects is one of the best ways of building lasting, positive relationships which have long term benefits in terms of reducing these unnecessary incidents.
For more information on preventing arson attacks visit http://www.syfire.gov.uk