INDEPENDENT charity Crimestoppers has launched a campaign to tackle the issue of arson in Winsford.

The campaign, titled ‘Criminals Don’t Care, Do You?,’ is asking residents in Winsford, particularly Wharton, to pass on information to the charity, completely anonymously, about those who are setting fire to wheelie bins in the Wharton estate and other parts of Winsford.

There have been 127 incidents of deliberate fires since bonfire night in the Wharton estate, with the majority of them involving wheelie bins, but some much more serious incidents such as a house fire started by a petrol bomb being posted through a letter box.

However, the Guardian has noted a significant decline in the number of arson attacks in recent weeks due to the arrest and remand of a known ring-leader, according to police.

The Crimestoppers campaign, which will run for four weeks, will consist of local residents receiving leaflets, Crimestoppers banners being placed in the area, while the charity will utilize social media to raise awareness of the dangers of this crime and to encourage residents with information to contact Crimestoppers anonymously.

Gary Murray, north west regional manager for Crimestoppers, said: “Winsford is traditionally a safe and quiet town that has low crime levels, so the fact there are such a large number of deliberate fires to wheelie bins is worrying for local residents.

“We want to ensure our streets are safe, and that local people are not worried that their homes or lives could be at risk by the senseless action of a small number of people. We need the help of the public to tell us who is carrying out these attacks. Information passed to us is completely anonymous, so nobody will know you have contacted us.”

Anyone with information should contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through our Anonymous Online Form at Crimestoppers-uk.org. Information passed to the police will not qualify for a reward.