A CRACK team has been set up to tackle arsonists who are blitzing Burnley.

The Fire Reduction Team will work with the police and the council following recommendations in the Task Force Report after the 2001 riots. Last year, there were 1,064 fires deliberately started in Burnley, costing an estimated £200,000.

Fires in skips and wheelie bins and rubbish fires went up by 47 per cent on the previous year and fires in private dwellings, commercial properties and cars went up by 22 per cent.

Community leaders today gave the thumbs up to the new initiative, but one arson victim said the scheme wouldn't solve the problem.

A pilot scheme was run last year but now the project has received almost £200,000 in European cash to set up and run the team for the next three years.

Some of the ways of trying to reduce arson attacks will include:

Launching a helpline so residents can report potential fire risks such as a build up of rubbish in empty houses

Promoting a Neighbourhood Fire Watch Scheme, similar to the existing crime neighbourhood watch so people can look after their own community

Identifying vulnerable areas, such as empty houses and waste ground and informing the council so action can be taken

Re-educating young fire bugs about the dangers of fire.

The money will pay for a fire reduction manager who will dedicate 50 per cent of his time to oversee the project, a fire education officer, who will work with potential and actual young arsonists, and two fire reduction officers will also be responsible for the day-to-day running of the project.

The team will also arrange regular meetings with residents' groups in arson hotspots and with partner agencies like the police to review progress.

They will also monitor fire levels and respond to any emerging trends.

Station Officer Ian Potter, who has helped set up the team, said: "This is the only dedicated team in the county.

"Hopefully we will be able to continue the impact made during the pilot scheme and continue to reduce arson by teaching people to look after their own communities, working with our partner agencies and educating children about the dangers of arson."

Coun Carole Galbraith, whose Trinity ward is one of the town's arson hotspots, said: "Communities need to feel they are being looked after."

But builder David Vallender, 40, who renovated a house in Manchester Road, Burnley, for him and his family, said the scheme would not solve the problem.

The complex, which is made up of mainly empty properties, has been targeted four times in the past thirteen months by arsonists.

Father-of-three David said: "This is a waste of time and won't solve the problem. What's needed is more surveillance and more cameras. I don't think this will make any difference."