The Chronicles of Ruination 2: Wrexham,North Wales

A major new operation is being launched to battle deliberate blazes across the county which are putting lives at risk

Arson stats

Figures show there were 270 arson attacks in 2015/16, 55 of those were in Caia Park.

12:15SARAH HODGSON

Hay bale fire

Here’s another look back at an incident caused by arsonists. In October last year firebugs set fire to 1,200 hay bales in Marford.

Fire on Hoseley Lane near Marford and Borras in Wrexham (Photo: Robert Parry-Jones)

12:01SARAH HODGSON

Wrexham mum says arsonists 'could have killed us'

Just last month a mum told how arsonists could have killed her family.

Two young girls aged six and three were sleeping upstairs along with their mum and dad on Maes Hyfryd, Rhosrobin.

Then arsonists torched their two Vauxhall Astras on parked their driveway outside shortly before 5am on January 19, which spread to the front door.

The mum heard crackling, spotted flames and smoke coming in and they managed to escape into the back garden before they were seriously injured or killed.

It badly damaged the front door and smoke stained the outside the house.

The property on Maes Hyfryd, Rhosrobin, Wrexham, which was damaged during an arson attack on cars on the driveway (Photo: Steve Bagnall)

11:50SARAH HODGSON

'Help us stop this problem which is blighting Wrexham'

A video from Paul Scott of North Wales Fire and Rescue Service urging people to help put an end to arson in Wrexham.

11:46SARAH HODGSON

Five vehicles were destroyed in one attack

An arson attack on February 6 saw five vehicles completely destroyed.

Fire crews were called to Park Road in Rhosymedre at 2.23am to reports of a vehicle fire, near to Plas Madoc Leisure Centre.

But when crews got to the scene two cars, one van and two caravans were all ablaze.

11:41SARAH HODGSON

Theatre group helps educate youngsters

As part of the campaign Cat’s Paw Theatre have delivered an educational and interactive production to schools, youth groups and other educational establishments.

11:34SARAH HODGSON

Crimestoppers appeal

If you have information about arson in Wrexham, or anywhere in North Wales, you can phone North Wales Police on 101. Or you can give details anonymously by ringing Crimestoppers.

11:30SARAH HODGSON

Latest arson attack in Wrexham

A car was set on fire in an arson attack on February 14. Police have linked the arson attack to a burglary at Rhostyllen Pharmacy at Trinity Close which happened on Monday at around 11.30pm.

A police spokesman said: “Police investigating a car arson at The Dunks in Caia Park Wrexham last night believe it may be linked to a burglary at a pharmacy in Rhostyllen on Monday, but are awaiting the results of a more detailed examination. Emergency services were called at 6.49pm last night to reports of a Peugeot 206 ablaze on land off Queensway.”

11:23SARAH HODGSON

Arson is on the up in Wrexham, says film director

The director of the Burning Your Future video says that a lot of research went into the film. He adds that while arson is decreasing across North Wales, in Wrexham it is “bucking the trend” and is increasing.

11:19SARAH HODGSON

About the video

Here’s some more details about the video.

It features interviews with firestarters, victims of arson, police and fire officers, as well as Catrin Pugh from Rossett.

It forms part of a number of projects funded by a £10,000 grant awarded by former North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Winston Roddick to tackle the arson “epidemic”. You can read more about it, here.

11:17SARAH HODGSON

Catrin Pugh with her award

Here’s a picture from reporter Shane Brennan of Catrin with her award.

11:12SARAH HODGSON

Catrin Pugh wins award

Catrin is now being presented with an award to acknowledge her work on the campaign.

11:11SARAH HODGSON

'A lot of work to do' says fire chief

Simon Smith chief fire officer for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service says that the video launch is one step of many that is needed to stamp out the problem.

11:09SARAH HODGSON

'How long before these fires result in injury?' asks Catrin Pugh

Catrin has told the room that Wrexham is full of love and compassion that can stop arson. She fears that it will not be long before these fires result in someone getting hurt.

She said: “How long before these fires result in an injury. It’s not a life I would wish on anyone.”

11:07SARAH HODGSON

'People stare at me but I brush it off'

Here’s what Catrin has told the meeting today.

11:05SARAH HODGSON

'Fire scares me to death', says Catrn Pugh

Catrin was in a coma for three months and hospital for a further five months following the accident. She struggled with PTSD.

She has told the meeting: “When I see fire it scares me to death.”

11:04SARAH HODGSON

Burns victim Catrin Pugh speaks of her horrific experience

Catrin survived horrific burns in a coach crash in the Alps in April 2013.

11:03SARAH HODGSON

Shame of arsonist

The video also features people who previously set fire to things deliberately.

11:01SARAH HODGSON

Video of playground demolition

The playground had to be partly demolished following the attack. Here’s a video of diggers moving in to take the castle down.

Video thumbnail, Venture demolition in Wrexham

CLICK TO PLAY

11:00SARAH HODGSON

Children devastated after Venture fire

Firebugs set fire to the popular playground in Caia Park in January last year - destroying a castle structure.

10:57SARAH HODGSON

Arson attacks are tying up emergency services

The incidents are putting a huge strain on resources and endangering firefighters lives.

10:49SARAH HODGSON

Victim of arson speaks out

A victim of an arson attack in Wrexham has told his story.

10:46SARAH HODGSON

Police talks at school

There has been a significant amount of work being carried out by agencies at schools. Prevention programmes have been delivered through Phoenix, Danger Point and the All Wales School Liaison Programme to mention a few.

10:45SARAH HODGSON

'Burning your future'

The name of the video and campaign ‘Burning Your Future’ was suggested by Stacey Jones

10:41SARAH HODGSON

Why has arson increased in Wrexham?

A multi-agency group involving members of North Wales Police, Wrexham CBC and North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, in conjunction with the community have been working together to understand the issues and develop sustainable solutions with the aim of reducing the number of arson incidents over the future.

They say that the hot spot areas have been Caia Park and Gwersyllt with the motivation for offending fitting broadly into three categories of:

Anti-social behaviour
Destruction of forensic evidence following crime
A means of settling disputes

10:41SARAH HODGSON

Arson attacks increased in autumn 2015.

According to police attacks increased during the autumn of 2015 and then on January 6 2016 we saw the devastating effect that arson has on the community when the timber castle in the Venture play ground in Caia Park was destroyed.

The fire-damaged castle at The Venture in Caia Park, Wrexham, it torn down after it was set alight in a suspected arson attack (Photo: Steve Bagnall)

10:38SARAH HODGSON

5,000 leaflets delivered

The meeting is being told that 5,000 leaflets were handed out in Caia Park ahead of Bonfire Night to warn of the dangers of deliberate fires.

10:38SARAH HODGSON

Money awarded by PCC

The PCC gave the group a grant to produce the video.

10:37SARAH HODGSON

Video created as part of campaign

A video has been created as part of the campaign. Here’s a preview released.

Video thumbnail, Burning Your Future Short - Multi Agency Video