POLICE and firefighters have pledged to work more closely to curb the growing menace of arson in County Durham.

Last year, firefighters dealt with 1,300 arson attacks, from rubbish fires and torched cars to houses set on fire.

The number of fires investigated by the police has risen by 20 per cent, from 646 between April 1998 and March 1999 to 775 in the period to March of this year.

The county's police force has already formed a team of scenes of crimes officers specialising in arson investigations.

The force and the fire brigade have agreed to pool resources more effectively in the fight against fire raising.

Both services say they work well together but now, in line with Home Office guidance, they are developing a more co-ordinated approach to arson.

With the school summer holidays about to begin, fire crews are bracing themselves for an increase in hoax calls and fires started by bored youngsters.

Chief Constable George Hedges said: "Starting a fire is just about the most destructive thing anyone can do.

"If there is an arsonist out there, I'm on his trail. I want to get the evidence that will convict people who start fires.''

Mr Hedges urged youngsters not to start fires or make hoax calls. "It might seems like fun but it isn't. It can put lives at risk,'' he said.

Chief Fire Officer George Herbert hopes that more prosecutions will deter would-be arsonists. He said: "We are interested in seeing how a successful outcome can have an impact on incidents.

"If people realise they are going to go to court, there is less likelihood of them committing offences.''

The brigade plans to warn people of the dangers of arson with its new £40,000 display vehicle, which will tour schools, factories and estates. The vehicle will also promote fire safety and has a trailer for demonstrating the danger of pouring water on chip pan fires