WHITTLESEA firebugs are in the gun with police identifying potential arsonists before the fire season.
Acting Inspector Paul Tysoe said police would watch suspected arsonists and intensify preventive measures against bushfires and firebugs during Operation Firesetter.
“In Firesetter we identify recidivist arsonists at the start of each season,” he said. “We develop a program on them and sort out which ones we have to talk to. Dedicated teams target recidivist offenders.”
Acting Inspector Tysoe declined to comment on the number of firebugs, their location or their potential targets. “We do target people we have identified as potential arsonists — we will watch them,” he said.
He said during the operation police would increase patrols in high-risk fire areas, including those areas identified by locals.
Police would also hold briefings for bushfire preparedness with fire authorities next month, internal briefings on the roles police officers would play and liaise with the Whittlesea council on fire readiness issues such as trees on roadsides.
Acting Inspector Tysoe said police would review resources and relevant agencies and review plans for evacuations and traffic management.
