DORSET & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service has joined a national campaign to tackle anti-social behaviour, a cause of a "significant" number of fires.

The campaign runs alongside ASB Awareness Week, this week, and aims to encourage communities to take a stand against ASB and highlight the actions that can be taken by those experiencing it.

Organised by Resolve, the UK's leading ASB and community safety organisation, the fire service will join BCP Council, Dorset Police, housing associations, charities and sports clubs.

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YouGov research reveals more than half of people (56 per cent) believe more needs to be done to tackle ASB. 57 per cent of those witnessing it didn't report it to anyone.

Arson reduction co-ordinator Gaynor Mant said: "A significant number of the fires attended by the Fire and Rescue Service every year are started deliberately.

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"During ASB week our staff will be attending events across the service area and working with partners to inform the public on what they can do to help us prevent ASB."

Rebecca Bryant OBE, chief executive of Resolve added: "ASB is not low-level crime. It can have a long-lasting impact on the lives of victims and communities and can be a precursor to more serious crime."