CHIPPENHAM NEWS: A POSTER campaign designed to combat Chippenham's mounting arson problem will be launched in the town next week.

The Chippenham News has joined forces with firefighters and police to design the posters, which will be displayed in schools and on public noticeboards.

Following a successful meeting with the emergency services last week all three Chippenham secondary schools are now fully behind the 'Fire Kills Strike It Out' campaign.

The fire brigade believes youngsters are responsible for many of the fires that have been started deliberately in the town and staff are determined to help get the message across.

Wayne Howells, assistant headteacher at Hardenhuish School, said: "We are very keen to support the community when it's going through pressured times. These things tend to go in phases and right now arson is a real issue in Chippenham."

Hardenhuish, Sheldon and Abbeyfield schools already have non-smoking policies in their grounds, which they hope discourage pupils from taking matches and lighters to school.

Mr Howells said Hardenhuish would include information on the impact of arson in pupils' personal, social and health education lessons. But he stressed the school was pursuing a sensitive approach to the problem in order not to exacerbate it.

He said: "As a result of this and a couple of other things the headteacher has put out our first ever safety newsletter to parents alerting them to aspects of safety they need to be aware of."

At least eight arson offences have been recorded in the town since the beginning of the year and, over the same period, there have been a further nine suspicious fires.

Station officer Ade Hurren, of Chippenham fire station is co-ordinating the campaign alongside acting sergeant Mark Gale from Chippenham police.

Station officer Hurren said: "We have found that a lot of those deliberately setting off fires are youths.

"We are worried that if kids get a feel for it, it will escalate. We are trying to nip it in the bud before it gets too serious - I don't know if people understand how huge the effects of fire can be."

Acting Sgt Gale said: "We are very positive that we are making progress and are pleased with the support of the schools in this venture."

On the police side the Youth Offending Team and school's liaison officer Sally Pullen are also hoping to target harder to reach groups not in mainstream education.