THIS summer's warm weather led to a huge rise in the number of arson incidents, with figures for July over double the same month last year.

Between April 1 and July 31, there were 3,433 reported arsons across West Yorkshire, compared to just 2,946 that period the previous year.

It means almost a third of incidents firefighters were called to in those four months were arsons.

The figures were discussed at a meeting of the West Yorkshire Fire Authority on Friday.

Of the incidents 564 were classed as primary arsons - involving a house, business or property, and 2,871 were classed as secondary arsons - involving fires in the open or waste being set on fire.

The majority involved vegetation or rubbish being set on fire in the open.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Dave Walton told members the year had been "exceptional" for arson incidents. He added: "This year's figures are significant, and in part are undoubtedly due to the hot weather. In April and May the arson levels were actually lower than previous years, but then the sun came out in June and July."

Councillor Caroline Anderson (Cons, Adel and Wharfedale) asked how fire crews could determine if a grass fire was arson without evidence.

Mr Walton replied: "There is not always evidence, if there was a match at the scene, after the fire there won't be a match there. They are classed as deliberate when crews determine that is the most probable cause. Also we are often dealing with one fire and the people who started it are up the road starting another."

One of the most high profile arson incidents in that period was at Jewson's builder's yard in Hunslet in July. At the meeting Mr Walton revealed that an arrest had been made in that investigation.

During the same discussion, members were told that in the four month period there had been 21 attacks on firefighters. Of these 10 were in the Bradford district, and included crews being pelted with stones.

Attacks on firefighters include an incident on May 13 when a rock was thrown at firefighters attending an incident at Yorkshire Martyrs Catholic College in Tong, damaging the window on the driver’s side.

On May 12 crews attended a house fire on Slade Lane, Rastrick when the officer in charge of the incident was physically attacked by the occupier.

On May 21 firefighters were called to a hedge on fire at Broadlea Terrace in Bramley. One of the occupiers of a nearby house was "clearly under the influence" and was threatening other neighbours who had gathered at the scene.

At one stage he retreated to his house and returned brandishing a machete and struck one of the members of the public. He returned to his house and appeared again with another knife and became verbally abusive, a brawl then took place between him and another neighbour. Firefighters and neighbours managed to restrain him before police arrived.

When asked why there seemed to be so few arrests over attacks on firefighters, Mr Walton said it was often difficult securing evidence, adding: "A lot of the time we are talking about something being thrown at staff in the dark, from some distance away."