The return of the Kinross fire-raiser has made the emergency services increasingly concerned for the safety of the public and property.
Police hit the town’s streets once again on Tuesday evening after there was another incident following a short hiatus by whoever is behind the series of fires.
Fortunately no one has yet been injured in any of the incidents, which have seen cars, bins and derelict properties targeted.
However, Tayside Police and investigating partners Tayside Fire and Rescue have said they are increasingly worried by the obvious potential risks of such recklessness.
Divisional Superintendent Jim Leslie appealed for information to help trace those who have caused 14 vehicle fires since November.
Mr Leslie called the actions of the fire-raisers ”unbelievably stupid”, adding: “We are obviously concerned at this. We are dealing with a number of offences, which is why we are holding these street briefings.
”Clearly these incidents have the potential for danger to the public and are unbelievably stupid. We are appealing for residents to contact us regarding these offences.”
Additional police have been deployed on the town’s streets and there has been an increase in high-visibility patrols as efforts are made to catch whoever is responsible.
Last month investigating officers said they were following ”positive new lines of inquiry” but no one has yet been arrested in connection with the fires.
The campaign of fire-raising began in early December, since when there have been several further incidents, although all fires have been speedily contained and extinguished.
On Friday December 23 three cars and a wheelie bin near High Street and Old Causeway were set alight.
A charity clothing bin in the grounds of Kinross Primary School was then set on fire on Monday December 26.
The following day a further three vehicles and a building were targeted, the first two in the area of Station Road and Lomond Mews and the third near to the Green Hotel.
As the emergency services arrived at the Green Hotel a male described as 5ft 9in, aged around 15 to 16 and wearing a black jacket with grey hoodie underneath was seen acting suspiciously and he ran off.
A derelict building in Pier Road was then the target later that same day.
The most recent incident took place last Friday, when yet another vehicle was targeted sometime between 9.15pm and 9.30pm. On this occasion a black Vauxhall Corsa parked in the Kinross Golf Club car park at Beeches Park was set alight.
The fire service attended and swiftly put out the flames, but it is concerned that the latest fire is an indication that the crimes are set to continue.
Investigating officers in Kinross have not ruled out the possibility that all the fires are linked and have been working hard to elicit vital information from the community. They held another street briefing on Tuesday evening, in the David Sands car park in High Street.
Tayside Fire and Rescue group manager Billy McLintock said: ”We are working very closely with the police to deal with the sporadic fires that we’ve seen in the Kinross area. These types of incidents could have very serious consequences for the safety of members of the public.”
Police are asking that members of the Kinross community are extra vigilant and immediately report any suspicious goings-on. If an incident is ongoing witnesses should call 999, while anyone with information on any of the fires should call 0300 111 2222.
Information can also be passed on via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.