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A HARD-HITTING DVD is the latest weapon in the firefighters' arsenal as they combat arson attacks on Dorset heathland.

The film, called Wonderful World, which was premiered to teenagers at a Ferndown community centre, includes shocking footage of heath fire infernos.

Dorset Fire and Rescue Service worked with the Urban Heaths Partnership and Dorset Crimestoppers to launch the initiative, which will see the film touring secondary schools across the county.

PC John Sweet, of the safe schools and communities team, said: "Heath fires are potentially one of the most serious incidents the police and fire service can be called to.

"As well as the destruction of rare and precious habitat, the potential loss of human life can never be underestimated.

"The malicious and deliberate ignition of heathland is a crime and will be treated as such.

"It is important to remember that these type of deliberate incidents tie up valuable fire and police resources - resources that could be put to better use protecting the community."

In March 2006 firebugs laid waste to a huge 100-acre swathe of Canford Heath, severely affecting rare heathland habitat which was of European importance.

More than 150 firefighters battled for three hours to bring the inferno under control, at a cost of around £100,000.

Experts fear it will take 30 to 40 years before the heath is fully restored.

Fire service arson reduction coordinator Gaynor Pollett said: "We need to work continually to ensure that the young people of Dorset are aware of the dangers of deliberately set fires.

"Ongoing educational programmes like Wonderful World are essential to support the work of all the agencies involved.

"As the schools' Easter holiday approaches, young people are out of school and get bored. Lighter evenings encourage more people outside and there is a trend that the number of deliberately set fires on the heathland increases."

1:20pm Friday 28th March 2008

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