Firefighters have responded to more than 2,000 deliberate fires in six months - with a Gateshead nature reserve targeted 11 times.
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) have revealed, since the beginning of 2023, they have responded to incidents of grassland, wheelie bins and even play parks being targeted by fire setters.
Their figures show there have been a shockingly high 2,055 deliberate fires set across the region since the start of the year.
