Tackling Arson: Environmental initiatives
The Zero-Tolerance Campaign and Removal of Refuse –Newcastle City Council
The zero-tolerance campaign was designed by Newcastle City Council to address the
problem of household refuse in the streets and back lanes on the West End of the City.
This initiative was primarily aimed at tidying up the area and improving its appearance
and reputation, but it was realised by the Arson Task Force that the removal of refuse
from the streets should have a beneficial effect on the rate of arson, particularly
on secondary fires.
The campaign was aimed at encouraging people to put their rubbish out only on designated
days, rather than allowing it to accumulate throughout the week. The campaign also
aimed at prosecuting persistent offenders who continued to dump rubbish in the area.
Under legislation, notice must be given to a householder before any prosecution
can be brought with regard to rubbish tipping. Accordingly, Newcastle City Council
sent a general letter to every household in the area, informing them of the zero tolerance
campaign, informing them of their designated day and time for putting rubbish out
for collection, and giving notice that any illegal tipping of rubbish would now be
subject to prosecution.
The initiative was supported by frequent (at least weekly) random trawls of the
area by council officers looking for offenders. This resulted in several prosecutions
and fines which were given as much media coverage as possible. During the campaign
the amount of rubbish on the street decreased dramatically.
Building on the partnership between the Arson Task Force and Refuse Department,
bulky refuse which is considered a fire risk by the Task Force is now moved with immediate
effect.
Copies of the legislation used in the zero-tolerance campaign and the letters send
to local residents are available from the Task Force.
Contact: Contact: Graham Shiel, Senior Divisional Officer, Brigade
Headquarters, PO Box 1HR, Pilgrim Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE99 1HR, (Tel No
0191 2321224)
Securing of Void Properties – Northumbria Arson Task Force
The number of arson fires in empty and unsecured properties led to the establishment
of a partnership between the Arson Tool Kit and the Newcastle City Council Environmental
Health Department. The initiative was designed to ensure the speedy and effective
securing of properties.
Operational fire-fighters or community beat officers would report unsecured properties
to the Arson Task Force who would then arrange for Environmental health to have the
property boarded up using plywood or, more usually, steel shuttering. In addition,
any property in which a fire took place would be immediately secured – regardless
of whether the property was council or privately owned. Where the property was privately
owned the Environmental Health Department, with the backing of the Arson Task Force,
seek to recoup the cost of boarding up from the owners. This was done via the courts
if necessary. Recently, the procedure has been streamlined so that fire fighters may
get properties boarded up 24 hours a day through Brigade Control.
Contact: Contact: Graham Shiel, Senior Divisional Officer, Brigade
Headquarters, PO Box 1HR, Pilgrim Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE99 1HR, (Tel No
0191 2321224)
Rapid Recovery of Abandoned Vehicles
A number of schemes operate nationally to ensure the rapid removal of found stolen
and abandoned vehicles, for example, Mid and West Wales Fire Brigade, Lancashire Fire
and Rescue Service and Kent and Medway Towns Fire Authority. This action is designed
to prevent the vehicles becoming a target for vandals.
The Local Government Association are currently developing a ‘Good Practice Guide’
to help local authorities reduce the numbers of abandoned vehicles in their areas
– needs to be located.
Operation ‘Cubit’ – Kent and Medway Towns Fire Authority
This initiative utilises DVLA powers to remove untaxed vehicles in an effort to
reduce the number of abandoned and apparently abandoned vehicles that may become a
target for offenders. Kent County Council, Kent County Constabulary, Medway Council
Kent Fire Brigade and DVLA have all contributed to an eight-week pilot to remove and
destroy abandoned/untaxed vehicles.
The pilot began in January 2001and will be evaluated in the following ways:
The number of vehicles recovered
The amount of unpaid vehicle tax recovered
The reduction of crime in the Medway area
The reduction in the number of abandoned vehicle notifications to Kent Police
and Medway Council
The reduction in the number of deliberate car fires in the Medway area.
The cost savings accrued by each agency will be calculated and will form the basis
for a County rollout if the scheme proves successful.
Contact: Adam Eckley, Commander, Community Fire Safety.
Tel: 01622-698351
Fax: 01622-698379
Email: adam.eckley@kent.fire-uk.org
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