The number of arson attacks in Redbridge has plummeted in the last decade but fire chiefs are urging residents to stay vigilant.

Last year there were 219 deliberate fires in the borough, compared to 844 in 2001/2, according to the London Fire Brigade.

Firefighters had to tackle more than 16 of the fires a week but there are now only around four. The blazes hit an all-time low in 2009/10, when only 208 were reported.

Despite the improvement, Redbridge borough commander Steve Brown is urging people to reduce risks by reporting abandoned cars and rubbish.

He said: “The dramatic decrease in deliberate fires means Londoners are a great deal safer from these needless acts of destruction than they were 10 years ago.

“We have worked incredibly hard with partners, the police and the council to bring these figures down and make the borough safer.

“However, we cannot be complacent. If people see an abandoned vehicle or rubbish dumped in the street, they should contact the council, which will help get it removed so it cannot become a target for would-be arsonists.”