ARSON attacks on heathland in north Bournemouth have fallen dramatically.

Police and fire officers have put the huge drop in incidents down to education, increased patrols and the community taking a stand.

In 2001 there were 208 heathland fires in the area between April 1 and September 30 - an average of around 40 a month. But this year, since April, the area has seen just 33 incidents.

Redhill fire station manager Tim Spring said: "We have seen the biggest reduction in heath fires in the past two years and this year the drop has been particularly dramatic."

He said the success has been down to a three-pronged attack. The police have been targeting known arsonists and the fire service has visited all the primary schools in the area giving educational talks about the dangers of starting fires.

The service also launched a Don't Destroy It campaign and ran a Firesetters education scheme which sees counsellors visit known arsonists to talk to them about the consequences of starting a blaze.

"But more than anything it's been the local communities in north Bournemouth that have stood up to the problem of arson," Mr Spring said.

North Bournemouth Inspector Jared Parkin said: "The arson statistics for heath fires in north Bournemouth are absolutely terrific. There have been some significant arrests to do with arson on the heathland this summer."

The council and emergency services have joined forces with the friends groups of Kinson and Turbary commons and more than 50 volunteers have received training on what information to report to the service when there is a fire, good evidence gathering and identifying local arsonists.

Geoff Budden, chairman of the Friends of Kinson Common, said: "At last we have seen light at the end of the tunnel but that does not mean we are going to stop. We are proud of our common. It is looking absolutely beautiful."