Council hotline during Firefighters' strike

The council's StreetScene sqaud is carrying out a blitz on abandoned cars around the borough. Abandoned vehicles are a temptation to vandals and many are set alight each year.

Some 40,000 leaflets are being distributed to people living in council blocks of flats giving them fire prevention advice and special numbers to ring in particular emergencies.

Estate inspectors will be patrolling council blocks every day to make sure alarms are working, rubbish is not building up and stairs and escape routes are not blocked.

Southwark Council is also asking residents to play their part in spotting and dealing with fire risks around their neighbourhood.

The council's environment call centre number 020 7525 2000 normally used to report abandoned cars, flytipping and graffitti, will be used temporarily as a Hazard Hotline on strike days. The number will be staffed between 9am and 5pm and people are encouraged to ring it and report potential fire risks.