Fire hydrant vandals putting lives at risk in Bishopbriggs and North Glasgow?

There has been a surge in the number of incidents with the recent good weather and school holidays. Fire chiefs, police and the water board are

warning selfish vandals of the dangers involved.

Reduced water pressure can hamper the ability of firefighters to tackle fires and, by attending the hydrant incidents, it takes them away from battling actual blazes.

It also causes a threat to the vandals themselves and can result in thousands of properties suffering disruption to their water supply or reduced water pressure.

Watch commander Kevin Smyth, from Springburn Fire Station, said: “These incidents put lives at risk. It drains the water supply and reduces the pressure. Some of the hydrants we can’t stop and have to get the water board to reduce the pressure.

“It’s also a danger to those who are setting them off. The pressure that comes out of them could cause someone to injure themself.”

Scottish Water, Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have renewed warnings to vandals.

Assistant chief officer Lewis Ramsay, from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, recently said: “Children are usually responsible for hydrant vandalism so we need parents to warn them of the real danger they are causing to themselves, pedestrians and road users.

“It is far from harmless fun as the water can cause serious injury.”

Superintendent Alan Cunningham, of Police Scotland, said: “We would ask the public to report any incidents or acts of vandalism involving fire hydrants. 

“Anyone found misusing or vandalising them can be assured that police will take the necessary action.”

You can report fire hydrant vandalism by calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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