Initiative to tackle wheelie bin fires in Pendle proves successful
Published Thursday, 29th January 2026
A joint initiative between Pendle Borough Council and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service has proved a resounding success.
The organisations joined forces to tackle the ongoing problem of wheelie bin fires in Pendle.
As a result of an increase in the number of deliberate fires in Nelson’s Bradley Ward, a leaflet was produced and distributed to homes in the Bankhouse Road/Reedyford Road area to drive home the message of how dangerous such fires can be and the impact they have on public services.
Following the initiative, the number of fires decreased dramatically.
Pendle Borough Council’s technical and enforcement teams, along with representatives from the local fire service, then focused on other areas of Pendle, including Brierfield and Waterside Ward in Colne.
A significant improvement in wheelie bin and general waste fires has been seen between June and December last year when the leaflets were distributed, compared to the same time in 2024.
There was a reduction of 75.4% in wheelie bin fires and a reduction of 32.5% in small general waste fires, amounting to an overall reduction of 38%.
Councillor David Whipp, Leader of Pendle Borough Council and Chairman of the Community Safety Partnership, said: “The collaborative work has certainly made a difference.
“By tackling this issue together, we aimed to reduce incidents, protect our environment and keep our community safe.
“These results give the public reassurance that we are doing just that.”
Martin Counsell, Station Manager for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, added: “Deliberately setting fire to wheelie bins might seem like a small act, but it can have serious consequences.
“Bin fires can spread quickly to homes, vehicles and nearby property, putting lives at risk and diverting firefighters away from other emergencies.
“This partnership work with Pendle Borough Council shows what we can achieve when we focus on prevention and community action.
“By raising awareness of the dangers and the impact on local services, we’ve seen a real reduction in incidents, and we’ll continue working together to keep Pendle’s communities safe.”