Detectives ordered to increase surveillance of high-risk arson suspects as fire season worsens

The specialist bushfire arson squad, Strike Force Tronto, has a statewide list profiling those who have been identified as being at high-risk of lighting bushfires.

An out of control bushfire jumped Wine Country Drive and smashed head on into the village of North Rothbury, north of Cessnock. Picture: Peter Lorimer.

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HUNTER detectives have been ordered to increase their surveillance of the region’s high-risk arson suspects following revelations that some of the blazes which razed buildings during last week’s catastrophic conditions may have been deliberately lit.

The specialist bushfire arson squad, Strike Force Tronto, has a statewide list profiling those who have been identified as being at high-risk of lighting bushfires.

Detectives arrive at the North Rothbury Fire scene last week. Picture: Peter Lorimer.

The profiles may have been placed on the list for several reasons – they were strong suspects in previous firebug activity; they were identified via police intelligence including strong information from the public and they might have even been identified by fellow firefighters because of suspicious behaviour.

The Newcastle News understands there are seven people on the high-risk list across the Hunter including four in the Port Stephens Hunter police district, which takes in the major centres of Nelson Bay, Raymond Terrace and Maitland.

The fire at North Rothbury, north of Cessnock, is being investigated. Picture: Peter Lorimer.

The Newcastle City police district has two suspects and Lake Macquarie has one.

There are no suspects identified in the Hunter Valley police district, the police area which takes in North Rothbury where a suspicious fire damaged property on Tuesday.

The seven across the Hunter are part of the 15 suspects on the list across the entire Northern Region, which stretches from the Hawkesbury River to the Queensland border.

Last week’s firestorm and threats of further extreme fire days in the coming weeks prompted senior police to order detectives to keep an eye on their known suspects.

It could include covert surveillance or more overt tactics such as impromptu visits.

The statewide list was prepared by Strike Force Tronto investigators – other arson suspects have also been identified by local detectives and remain on their radar.