A PIONEERING action plan will seek to reduce the number of arson attacks in Basingstoke.

It's the first time a community fire safety action plan has been drawn up for the town.

The plan reveals there have been 295 cases of arson in the 12 months between last March and this April.

Popley, Brighton Hill and Buckskin have been highlighted as particular problem areas, registering the highest number of calls.

Basingstoke Assistant Divisional Officer Jerry Leonard told The Gazette: "Sadly, arson appears to be on the increase in Basingstoke and there are key areas where a large percentage of these types of calls, and preventable fires in the home, take place.

"By getting into the community and talking to local groups, organisations and schools, we hope to reduce the number of incidents."

Mr Leonard added: "Basingstoke's figures are slightly above the average for the county and a large percentage of firefighters' time is being spent dealing with these types of incidents when it could be better spent educating people."

As well as looking at reducing incidents of arson, the action plan will target preventable fires in the home including electrical and kitchen fires - where most injuries or deaths occur.

Between April 2000 and March 2001, there were more than 2,000 calls to Basingstoke fire station.

Mr Leonard said: "Our aim is to target areas where we have had an abundance of calls and at the moment it seems to be arson and kitchen fires.

"However, the plan will be flexible and if we suddenly get an increasing trend of other types of fire then we will turn our focus to that."

As part of the plan, Basingstoke has been divided into four key areas, which will be looked after on a rotational basis by each watch at the town's station.

Firefighters will be spending time in the community and holding surgeries and open days to get the fire safety message across.

The plan - drawn up by Mr Leonard and community safety co-ordinators from each watch - is in line with Hampshire fire and rescue service's response to a Home Office request to reduce the number of preventable fires, fire-related injuries and fires in dwellings by five per cent year on year.

Each month different topics will be covered, including DIY fire safety, smoke alarms, barbeque safety, child safety, kitchen fire safety, OAP safety, fireworks and electrical appliances.

Alongside the action plan, the local station promises to:

* maintain and forge links with local schools, groups and organisations

* continue to provide every child under the age of 16 with a smoke alarm for their bedroom

* work with the elderly because figures show that fire victims are mostly over the age of 60.

Mr Leonard said: "We are all committed to reducing the number of calls that we receive but more importantly, to reducing the number of injuries and deaths which occur as a result of fire."