Wheelie Bins Marked to Deter Bonfire Night Arson

Humberside Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS) is affixing yellow tags to wheelie bins as a warning to residents that these bins are identified as being at elevated risk of arson on Bonfire Night. The service is encouraging Hull residents to implement additional measures to guard against theft and deliberate fires. Hull City Council is backing this initiative, stating that “the increased activity around November fifth can unfortunately lead to higher risk for unattended bins”. Sarah Wilkinson, who serves as HFRS’s head of prevention, advised: “To prevent arson, store wheelie bins securely as they are often targeted in anti-social behaviour, leading to dangerous fires and environmental harm.” The council recommended that bins be kept securely, ideally behind locked gates, and only placed out for collection on scheduled days, to be retrieved promptly afterwards. Furthermore, it advised against overfilling containers and leaving unbagged waste or loose rubbish nearby. Councillor Charles Quinn commented: “We want everyone to enjoy the Bonfire Night celebrations, but we also want to ensure everyone’s safety. “Unfortunately, there is an increased risk of theft and arson attacks on wheelie bins around this time.”