Fire service responds to 123 deliberate fires across Renfrewshire

Johnstone South and Elderslie recorded the highest number of deliberate fires in Renfrewshire during the first three months of the 2026/27 financial year.

Figures presented to Renfrewshire Council’s Police and Fire and Rescue Scrutiny Sub-Committee show there were 123 deliberate fires across Renfrewshire between 1st April and 30th June 2026.

The figures are broken down across Renfrewshire Council’s 12 electoral wards, meaning some totals cover more than one town or community. A Renfrewshire-wide breakdown can be found at the bottom of this article.

Johnstone South and Elderslie recorded 20 deliberate fires, the highest number of any ward in Renfrewshire.

Houston, Crosslee and Linwood had 16 incidents, while Paisley Northwest recorded 15.

Renfrew South and Gallowhill had 14, while Johnstone North, Kilbarchan, Howwood and Lochwinnoch and Paisley Southwest each recorded 12.

The remaining incidents were recorded across Paisley East and Central with nine, Erskine and Inchinnan with six, Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank with five, Paisley Northeast and Ralston with five, Renfrew North and Braehead with five and Paisley Southeast with four.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said the 123 deliberate fires represented a notable increase compared with the previous quarter, but were in line with figures recorded during previous first quarters.

More than 70 per cent involved refuse and grassland, woodland or crop fires.

The figures show 54 deliberate refuse fires and 37 involving grassland, woodland and crops.

There were also 10 deliberate vehicle fires, eight involving other outdoor locations, five involving homes and four at non-residential properties.

The number of deliberate fires in Johnstone South and Elderslie was raised during the committee meeting on Tuesday 18th August.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service officer was asked whether there was a particular reason for the ward recording the highest figure.

The officer said: “Not a particular reason that we have been able to identify. It is usually attributable to generic antisocial behaviour. We work with our Police Scotland colleagues to identify that locally.

“If we see any emerging trends, we implement community safety initiatives that will target that. For example, if there is a particular area that is known to the police, we can liaise with them and link in, tie in with local schools and deliver community safety engagement initiatives that are focused on that particular school. If there are any youth clubs associated with that, we can do that.

“In all, although there is a trend in increasing the number of incidents, there is nothing obvious as to why it is specific to that particular quarter.”

The fire service said crews share relevant information about deliberate fire setting and antisocial behaviour with its Community Action Team.

That information can then be shared with partner agencies for appropriate follow-up action.

The service said targeted prevention work, youth engagement and joint community safety initiatives remain important in addressing deliberate fire setting.