Crap Towns / Galashiels / Deliberate fires

How many fires get started on purpose in Galashiels?

There were 11.6 deliberate fires per 10,000 people a year in Galashiels from April 2023 to March 2026, 48% lower than the typical Scottish town's 22.3. The most common were bins and rubbish set on fire, at 7.0. In 2025/26 it was 7.0, down from 10.9 in 2023/24.

**Over time**
Period	Here	Typical Scottish town
2023/24	10.9	22.6
2024/25	16.9	20.4
2025/26	7.0	19.0

**What was set alight**
Fire	Here	Typical Scottish town
Bins and rubbish set on fire	7.0	8.2
Grass, woods and crops set on fire	2.3	6.2
Other outdoor fires	2.3	5.0

**Nearby towns**
Town	Distance	Fires per 10,000 people a year
Mayfield	32.3 km	30.2
Gorebridge	29.8 km	23.6
Dalkeith	34.8 km	18.6
Bonnyrigg	34.6 km	16.3
Loanhead	36.8 km	13.5
Tranent	37.7 km	11.7
Galashiels	–	11.6
Penicuik	35.8 km	11.2
Peebles	24.4 km	7.0
Hawick	21.2 km	6.8
Kelso	23.5 km	5.9
The typical Scottish town	–	22.3