LIVES are being put at risk and taxpayers' money wasted in dealing with an increasing number of burned-out cars on a High Wycombe housing estate.

From April 1 last year to March 31 this year firefighters tackled 50 car fires in the Booker and Castlefield ward of High Wycombe.

In the first three months of this year, firefighters put out 19 car fires in the area, more than Cressex and Frogmoor had in 12 months.

Already this month, ten car fires have had to be extinguished.

It is estimated that each blazing car costs High Wycombe fire station between £500 and £1,000, and fire chiefs point out that the £50,000 spent last year could have provided much-needed life-saving equipment.

High Wycombe fire station commander Bryan Dugdale said: 'We do have a lot of firefighting activity in the area, a lot of which is of malicious origin.

'That is of concern to us because we are not able to respond to property fires in the right times or in the right numbers when we are tied up with criminal activity.

'The firefighters are exposed to hazards as soon as the call comes in through travelling there and from the fire.'

Insp George Wrigley of Chiltern Vale police, says it costs about £250 for officers to attend to an abandoned car and the police, in co-operation with the residents' association, have dropped leaflets over Castlefield to encourage residents to name and shame the arsonists.

He said: 'It is irresponsible and it makes the area look neglected. There are an awful lot of good people out there, particularly the residents' association, who are doing their best to make Castlefield a better place to live.

'It causes additional pressures on limited resources and we would rather be using our time more constructively.'

Three people were last week arrested and bailed in connection with car fires in Castlefield

You can give information about car fires on Castlefield anonymously to Crimestoppers on (0800) 555 111