Arson

£9 million boost for the fight against arson

New and innovative projects across the country aimed at tackling recent increases in arson will receive a funding share of above £9 million spread over 3 years. Arson is the single largest cause of fires in the UK. It destroys people's lives and costs over £2 billion a year.

Among the successful projects are:

• a new Community Fire Fighter project in Blackpool which will provide 2 uniformed officers to work with young people to reduce fire setting and anti social behaviour

• a new fire investigation team for the North East, based in Newcastle, which will help to develop a regional approach to the detection and prosecution of arson.

The funding comes from the Government's £43 million 3-year investment in community fire safety and arson reduction in England and Wales. Additionally, effective projects proven in the past in reducing the number of malicious fires, such as car clearance schemes, have also received a share of the funding, from the Arson Control Forum (ACF) Implementation Fund.

This funding will also assist the Government's wider neighbourhood renewal plans and complements the Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan, published in October 2003. The ACF Implementation Fund, financing innovative new ideas, as well as tried and tested schemes, will build on the success of existing projects and help in the fight against malicious fires.

Furthermore, it reinforces the key message of the Fire and Rescue Services Bill, published January 2004. The Bill will change the focus of the service to place a greater emphasis on fire prevention - and arson control is a key element of this and the wider modernisation agenda of the fire and rescue service.

Other successful schemes that will receive a share of the funding include:

• The establishment of an Arson Task Force in Gloucestershire based on the model of existing task forces already set up around the country. targeting fires in vehicles, buildings and property, as well as rubbish fires.

• The Kent Car Clearance Scheme. "Operation Cubit" was pioneered in Kent and proved very successful. The value of the project lies not only in removing untaxed vehicles, but also in demonstrating that a multi-agency solution to the problem of abandoned vehicles and car fires can be developed and delivered.

Date modified: 28 January 2004
Review date: January 2005
Originator:  Crime Reduction Centre Information Services

© Crown copyright | Submissions guide | Copyright notice | Privacy policy