Eden Vauxhall come to the rescue!

Eden Vauxhall Fareham came to the ‘rescue’ of the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service by providing a new car as part of its bid to reduce arson attacks in the region.

Fires started deliberately in Hampshire cause millions of pounds worth of damage per year and the branded Corsa will assist Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and the police in their efforts to target criminal damage and arson on the city’s streets.

The new Vauxhall Corsa Active will be used to support Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Fareham and Gosport Group Community Liaison Officer (CLO) who will endeavour to reduce levels of criminal damage and arson in the city and also carry out an educational role within the community.

The Vauxhall Corsa Active is a very low emission vehicle with just 119g/km co2 emissions which puts it in the lowest price branding for Road Fund Licence.  It also provides 74.3 miles to the gallon on extra urban driving.

Eden Vauxhall Fareham’s general manager Scott McNicol (pictured left) handed over the keys of the car to Fareham and Hampshire Fire & Resscue CLO Gary Elston.

Said Scott: “Our business is very much a part of the community and we feel that it is important to give something back. Over the past two years we have developed a strong relationship with Hampshire Fire and Rescue and have supported a number of their community projects. The work that the firefighters undertake, not only on the frontline fighting fires and at scenes of accidents, but also in the community, particularly with local children, which helps create a safer place for us all to live and work, is invaluable so we are proud and delighted to be able to provide our support wherever possible.”

Fareham and Gosport group manager Peter Watson, for Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “People often underestimate the damage that can be caused by a fire involving wheelie bins or refuse.  Rubbish burns at an alarming rate and the fire can spread extremely rapidly.  Often the flames can set fire to a neighbouring fence or shed, or they are high enough to reach the soffit of a neighbouring building and, before you know it, the whole roof is alight. This is when lives can be put at risk.” 

As members of the Gosport Community Safety Partnership, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service is working closely with Hampshire Constabulary and Gosport Borough Council to stamp out recent attacks in the Fareham and Gosport area and catch the people responsible. 

Fareham Station Manager Paul Coates for Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "Eden Vauxhall should be congratulated for their very generous donation of the car. It will enable the Fareham and Gosport Group Community Liaison Officer (CLO) to follow up on arson incidents with our partners. The CLO will be able to identify potential arson targets and take action to reduce the risk. Thus improving community safety, by tackling the underlying causes of crime and disorder, reducing arson and unwanted fire calls”.

Advice from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service for residents and businesses in the affected streets is available below…

  • Reduce the opportunities for arson by keeping wheelie bins securely in a back yard or garden.  If this is not possible, chain the bin to a wall or fence as far from the premises itself as you can
  • Do not put wheelie bins out for emptying until the refuse collectors are due and put them away again as soon as possible
  • Do not overfill your wheelie bin, or leave loose rubbish around it
  • Do not store rubbish or rubbish containers too close to buildings or possible ignition sources, e.g. heaters or boiler flue pipes
  • Where possible combustible rubbish should be compacted and removed
  • Consider the provision of security measures fixed to the bins e.g. security locks (both retrofit and designed in)
  • Encourage neighbours to bring in other people’s wheelie bins in if they are at work or on holiday
  • Make sure your home is fitted with smoke alarms. Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service may fit them free of charge if you call 023 8062 6809 or complete the online booking facility on the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service website www.hantsfire.gov.uk
  • Report any fly-tipped materials to the local council and report abandoned cars to the police immediately