MORE than 100 fires were deliberately set in Stevenston in just a nine month period.

Another 236 blazes were set in Kilwinning, Irvine West and Irvine South but Stevenston was the top of the list with 107 separate fires between April and December last year.

Stevenston Labour Councillor Jimmy Miller said: “Young people congregate and nobody is watching. They are a danger to themselves. It is also a danger to wildlife, which we are trying to protect. I am trying to establish what is being done about it. Security cameras could be the answer.  The Fire Service have enough to do without having to go down there. It is a big risk.”

He added: “It should be a priority for police officers to highlight this in the schools.”

The problem came to light at the Police and Fire, Rescue Committee.

The meeting heard fire crews and the police are trying to address the issue through education in schools.

There were also 48 deliberate fires in Ardrossan and Arran, 41 in Saltcoats, 31 in Kilbirnie and Beith and 21 in North Coast.