A CRACKDOWN on firebugs has been launched after more than 450 deliberately-lit blazes in one Glasgow community this year.

A CRACKDOWN on firebugs has been launched after more than 450 deliberately-lit blazes in one Glasgow community this year.

Residents in Pollok, in the South Side, are being urged to report suspicious incidents anonymously before someone is killed.

So far this year, 456 out of 643 fires recorded in the area were deliberately-lit.

Last month the parish hall of St James the Great Church in Pollok was set alight, causing £25,000 damage.

Parish priest John Lyons said: "I absolutely welcome this campaign.

"We should be able to claim on our insurance for the fire, but local groups like pensioners and Alcoholics Anonymous have been left without somewhere to meet.

"And somebody could have been killed."

Gowanbank Primary has also been hit by two firebug attacks since the new term began.

Over the next four weeks, more than 16,000 homes in the area will get a leaflet about the campaign being run by Strathclyde Fire and Rescue, Strathclyde Police and Glasgow Community and Safety Services.

The pilot campaign is being funded by the Scottish Government.

Community police will patrol the area and there will be more monitoring by CCTV operators.

Lewis Ramsay, area commander for Strathclyde Fire and Rescue, said: "Deliberate fire-raising continues to be a significant problem for Strathclyde Fire and Rescue - particularly within the G53 postcode area.

"We are asking people to be vigilant and not turn a blind eye to fire-setting, as the smallest of fires can quickly grow out of control, putting families and businesses at risk on an almost daily basis.

"We are working hard to identify and target the sources of these incidents in an attempt to reduce the demand on the organisation and allow firefighters to concentrate on helping victims of real fire and rescue emergencies."

Phil Walker, managing director of Glasgow Community and Safety Services, said: "This pilot campaign sends out the message that anti-social behaviour in the form of fire vandalism will not be tolerated.

"By combining resources to crack down on fire setting, we hope to give the public confidence we're doing everything we can to make a cleaner, safer Glasgow."

The most common firebug incidents involve people torching rubbish, grass, trees, skips, derelict buildings, stairwells and abandoned cars.

The crime carries a maximum sentence of life in jail. To report an incident call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.