Almost everyone on the Surf Coast would dob in even their own child if they were a suspected arsonist, according to a “world-first” study.
Saving lives, including livestock and pets, from fires was more important than relationships for 93 per cent of respondents, the study found.
Crime Stoppers revealed the findings at Anakie yesterday as part of a regional Victorian roadshow to encourage reporting of “arson-related activities”.
The study surveyed residents of the Surf Coast and six other communities in bushfire-prone areas.
Arson caused more than half of Australia’s bushfire’s, said Crime Stoppers’ Samantha Hunter.
“Since Victoria’s Black Saturday community reporting of bushfire arson to Crime Stoppers has increased 290 per cent,” Ms Hunter said.
“Each piece of information provided to Crime Stoppers is confidential and is passed directly on to police for their further investigation. These vital pieces of community information can help assist police in identifying persons of interest or quickly eliminating a person from their inquiries.
“Every call, every online report counts”.
Ms Hunter said enhancing community safety was the “bottom line” for Crime Stoppers work on prevention arson.
“We’re proud that we’ve successfully integrated strong research with strong community engagement to protect Victorians and prevent bushfires.”
A Geelong man, 57, will face court next month on bushfire arson charges. He was arrested and charged after crashing his car and hiding from police at the scene of a bushfire near Rokewood in December.
CFA volunteers spent 20 minutes bringing the fire under control.
Anyone with an arson report can phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
