‘Burning Your Future’ – Short Film Released to Raise Awareness of The Dangers of Arson

A short film highlighting the serious consequences of deliberate fire-starting has been launched in Wrexham.

The bi-lingual DVD, titled ‘Burning Your Future’ was unveiled at a screening to members of the emergency services, representatives from the local council and children at the Gwersyllt Resource Centre yesterday morning.

The 11 minute film, which was commissioned by North Wales Police and North Wales Fire and Rescue Service and Wrexham County Borough Council, aims to highlight and educate people on the dangers of arson.

The film was created as a result of the number of arson attacks in the Wrexham area, which have been described as being at a ‘disproportionally high level’ compared to other areas in North Wales and nationally.

As a result a number of local agencies have joined together to create ‘Burning Your Future’, which will be distributed to schools across the region and can be viewed on the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service YouTube page.

The film project also received additional funding from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and the North Wales Police and Community Trust.

Described as ‘being produced in Wrexham, for Wrexham and using Wrexham people’, Burning Your Future is part of a multi-faceted approach in educating children and adults on the serious consequences of arson.

The film has features first hand experiences from victims of arson from the Caia Park area – along with interviews with deliberate fire starters, officers from North Wales Police, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service and Catrin Pugh, who sustained serious burns during a fire.

As part of the combined efforts to tackle deliberate fires a number of other initiatives have also been developed,  including a Crimestoppers media campaign encouraging the community to confidentially share information with the police.

An educational and interactive theatre production has also been delivered through Wrexham County Borough Council by the “Cat’s Paw Theatre” to schools, youth groups and other educational establishments.

During yesterday’s presentation about the short film it was noted that children, teenagers and adults are all responsible for arson and deliberate fires – despite the presumption that it is often young people who are to blame.

Three ‘motivational factors’ for arson were also listed, which include as a means to dispose forensic evidence, to resolve disputes and finally mindless vandalism and antisocial behaviour.

The presentation also concluded with Catrin Pugh, who sustained severe burns from a horrific crash in the Alps, urging people to think about the serious dangers of fire.

Superintendent Sian Beck of North Wales Police (pictured above) said: “There is already a significant amount of work and a number of prevention programmes being carried out by partners. This is a locally produced film, involving the local community and will be delivered to schools and youth organisations by North Wales Police and North Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

“It is a thought provoking film which is suitable for all ages and will provide educational awareness around the consequences of deliberate fires. The title “Burning Your Future” was chosen after a public competition on social media.

Paul Scott, Community Safety Manager for Wrexham and Flintshire, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, added: “This film highlights how arson affects communities, and we hope that it will start to get people thinking about this issue and why we need to stamp out deliberate fire starting for good.

“We’re using a number of case studies and the footage has been shot and edited in the Wrexham area, giving the film a real local flavour.

“Deliberate fires have consequences – for the perpetrator, our communities and our emergency services. We hope that this film will help drive home this message and help us to tackle the issue of deliberate fire starting in the Wrexham area.”

The video can be viewed in full below: