VANDALS stole an elderly man's bins from outside his home and set them alight in Mauchline.

The 70 year old man had his bins stolen from his home in Beechgrove Road between 5pm and 8pm on Friday January 6.

Police found two bins that had been set alight at nearby Beechgrove Park at 10.25pm that same night.

Sergeant Colin Shearer from Cumnock police office said: "There seems to be this myth that by setting the blue wheelie bins alight you can get some sort of high from the fumes. That's completely untrue and it's dangerous."

Local firefighters have experienced an increase in the amount of wheelie bins and rubbish being deliberately set on fire.

Scottish Fires and Rescue Service Station Manager, Alan Coughtrie said: "Deliberate fires are incredibly dangerous and everyone needs to understand that these incidents could result in absolutely devastating consequences, including the tragic loss of life.

"Those responsible for starting fires have no idea how the fire will develop or who will be affected – they are endangering lives and need to ask if they could live with themselves if someone was killed because of their actions.

"Even a small fire involving a wheelie bin can rapidly spread and the toxic smoke produced can have long term effects on your health.

"Household items and rubbish should never be left on the exit route from a property and wheelie bins should not be stored against buildings, as this could attract people who set fires. Wheelie bins produce a large amount of heat and toxic smoke which can easily spread into a home as well as obstruct people as they try to exit.

"Where fire does strike early warning is crucial if people are to get to safety and call 999. Working smoke alarms save lives and no-home can ever afford to go without the essential devices.

"Free home safety visits are available by calling 0800 073 1999, texting ‘FIRE’ to 80800 or filling in a form at www.firescotland.gov.uk."

Police are still looking for the Mauchline bin vandals. Anyone with any information can contact police on 101 or can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.