Arson
There were 121,800 deliberate fires in the UK 2002. Over the previous 10 years, deliberate fires in buildings increased by 24% from 26,300 in 1992 to 32,400 in 2002. Deliberate fires in road vehicles increased by 68% in the same period, rising from 47,800 in 1992 to 80,200 in 2002.
Every week arson results in over 2,000 deliberately started primary fires, 60 plus injuries, approximately 2 deaths and a cost to th public of over £42 million. In the last decade there have been around 2.5 million deliberate fires in the UK, resulting in 1,250 deaths and 32,000 injuries. focus areas for these crimes are also focus areas for other forms of crime and ASB - linked to abandoned vehicles, derelict premises etc.
The Fire Service is one of the responsible authorities within each local Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership. The role it plays goes beyond arson reduction as can be seen on the linked page.
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Arson Links
A Home Office 'toolkit' giving background to the specific area of offending, an analysis of the issues and local solutions.
The official Fire Service web pages.
Detecting & Convicting the Arsonist: Lessons from the United States
This paper discusses the poor record in the United Kingdom for investigating and prosecuting arson offences. It compares the UK record with that of the United States where there is a higher rate of detection.
Arson Reduction: the Arson Control Forum
Web pages from the UK government on policy, strategic management and best practice.
Official website of the UK Arson Prevention Bureau.
This is one in a series of guides designed to share ideas for tackling vandalism and other forms of criminal damage.
Arson Alert for Small Businesses Gives practical advice on protecting a business from arson.
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