Police Minister Michelle Roberts is urging the community to get behind efforts to stamp out arson this bushfire season, by reporting potential firebugs to police.
The Minister today launched Strike Force Vulcan – a team of police officers with arsonists in their sights.
The taskforce will work seven days a week over the duration of the bushfire season, to provide a rapid investigative response to any suspicious fire across the metropolitan area.
Officers will also patrol arson hotspots and use covert and overt surveillance to keep an eye on known firebugs.
There were 446 deliberately lit or suspicious bushfires in the past bushfire season.
Strike Force Vulcan investigators charged a total of 10 arsonists.
41 juveniles were issued with cautions and referred to the Juvenile and Family Fire Awareness Program.
Any member of the community with information that can assist with investigations into arson is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000