By PUAL MILLAR
POLICE will monitor local firebugs over the long weekend as Crime Stoppers and firefighters join forces to raise an awareness of arsonists and the ongoing threat of fires.
Geelong Inspector Gary Thompson said police wanted serial arsonists to know they were being watched.
CFA regional operations manager Mick McGuinness said “human intervention” was behind 50 per cent of fires, half of which were deliberately lit.
Public awareness was crucial to preventing arsonists, he said.
“We’re asking the community to remain vigilant and to look out for suspicious activities.”
Insp Thompson and Mr McGuinnes urged anyone with information about deliberately lit fires or potential arsonists to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
