Parents are being urged to warn their children of the dangers of fire.

Children and young people are believed to be responsible for more than two thirds of arson attacks which Kent Fire and Rescue Service attends.

Fires are started in all sorts of areas, including rubbish, fly tipping, grassland, parks and even domestic properties. Incidents are often carried out by groups and tend to be unplanned, arising from opportunity and even peer pressure.

Stuart Skilton, Head of Community Safety, said: “Up until now summer has been a bit of a wash-out, but increased rainfall means that grassland and country-side areas have flourished.

"However, now that we have a period of hot, dry weather there is a greater risk of fire spreading more quickly and larger blazes developing.

“We want to get the message out that arson is a crime, not just harmless fun, and deliberate fires are destructive and dangerous.

"Fire setters are putting themselves, and others, at serious risk.

"Not only does deliberate fire setting have an impact on the environment in which we all live and work, it also has the potential to divert valuable fire-fighting resources away from other incidents such as house fires or road traffic collisions where lives may be in danger.”

KFRS works alongside partner agencies including local, district and county councils, Kent Police, the Crown Prosecution Service and the Forensic Science Service to investigate deliberate fires, identify those responsible and actively seek prevention and education opportunities.

Fire crews have also been involved with local schemes aimed at reducing the risk of fire spread in areas such as the Great Lines in Chatham, where fire breaks have been cut into large grassland areas.

The general public can help by following some important safety tips to prevent fires starting in the first place:

Don’t discard cigarettes out of car windows or light fires in the countryside.

Contact your local district or borough council to arrange collection of unwanted furniture or report abandoned vehicles or fly tipped waste. Extinguish bonfires and barbecues properly.

Keep matches and lighters away from young children and remind them that they are not toys.

Don’t let your youngsters wander in the countryside unsupervised. Ensure that they are aware of the dangers of fire.

If you have any information about arson attacks in Medway call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.