Psychologist on firebug's case

A psychologist is helping police in their hunt for an arsonist blamed for at least 20 suspicious fires in Kaitaia.

Public feedback has enabled the police to compile a list of about 20 people they believe might have started fires in the town in the past 10 months.

The Fire Service has called in Ian Lambie, director of clinical psychology at the University of Auckland, to help catch the firebug.

Dr Lambie said the arsonist would be caught "sooner or later - it is probably in their own interests to hand themselves in".

He said his work in Kaitaia was a mixture of helping to analyse intelligence on the fires and helping build up a possible profile of the arsonist.

"I think there are some thoughts potentially about the type of person who may do this sort of stuff. But an important thing is to keep an open mind and not rule anything out."

He said arsonists tended to be men aged over 17. They may have mental or psychiatric illnesses, be bored or be misdirecting their anger or frustration about something.

It was particularly important that night-shift workers, such as bakers and cleaners, kept an eye out for people out at night.

"Ultimately you are relying on the community to solve the problem. Someone or some people will know who this person or group of people is. Are they acting unusually? Are they out in the middle of the night?" Dr Lambie said.

Kaitaia Senior Sergeant Gordon Gunn said he had a list of "persons of interest".

"From some of the public feedback we have got 15-20 names that have been put forward as persons worthwhile looking at or having a talk to," he said.

A $1000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the firebug.

- NZPA