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As regeneration in our area gathers pace, rows of empty houses and disused buildings are becoming targets for criminal activity, in particular arson.

Cleveland Fire Brigade have found calls to areas such as Grove Hill and South Bank increasing dramatically, with abandoned properties being the prime targets.

Arson Investigation Officers' Derek Smith and Pat McLaughlin told BBC Tees how they are looking to beat the arsonists.

Pat said: "It seems to have moved on from generation to generation, we have void properties which attracts a whole host of crime – stolen cars, drugs, and they deem arson as a suitable way for them to cover up their crime."

Derek added: "In the regeneration areas such as Grove Hill and South Bank, there are a lot of boarded up houses.

"The problem that we have is people breaking into these buildings and setting fire to them, which can be particularly nasty if there are people still living in houses surrounding it."