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Arson - Is a serious crime, and carries the maximum punishment of a life sentence. It frequently results in loss of life, serious injuries, financial loss and environmental damage.
It is a crime that involves a person behaving ‘recklessly’ or ‘intending' to damage property or 'intending' to endanger someone’s life using fire. Deliberate fire setting is a wider term used by fire and rescue services covering all fires that are thought to have been started deliberately. These include nuisance fires (refuse, bins and grass fires etc). Deliberate nuisance fires fall very clearly within a broad definition of anti-social behaviour and there are close parallels with juvenile nuisance.
Every year, a number of nuisance fires lead to larger very expensive fires through uncontrolled fire spread. Failing to tackle deliberate fire setting can allow some youths to develop into arsonists who see fire as a weapon of revenge.
What you can do to prevent arson?
Basic steps you can take to help protect your property are;
- Minimise the amount of combustible material that is left in and around buildings.
- Ensure your property is secure with adequate locks on doors and windows and the provision of security lighting.
- Carry out a fire risk assessment, fit smoke alarms and plan an effective escape route.
- Park vehicles in a well lit place, fit an anti-theft device and don't leave valuables on show.
More detailed general information can be downloaded via the links below;
Arson Advice (West Yorkshire Fire Service Leaflet)
Arson - Crime Reduction Toolkit
Juvenile Fire Setting - How To Reduce The Risk
Protecting Your Home
Whilst less likely to be as a result of an opportunistic attack, domestic arson is often linked to other crimes such as burglary, domestic violence or hate-related crimes.
It is preferable to prevent a fire in the first place and preventing arson in the home is closely linked with preventing intruders gaining access - ensure all windows and doors are locked at night and when the house is empty. If there have been arson attacks in the local area, you might want to consider installing an arson-proof letterbox.
The link below will provide more details about improving security;
Secured By Design (Police Security Advice)
Protecting Your Business
Arson is the single most common cause of fire on business premises and the majority of arson attacks are down to opportunistic vandalism. A frightening statistic is that up to 80% of businesses never fully recover from a serious fire.
Arson Attacks On Farms And The Countryside (Arson Prevention Bureau)
How To Stop Your Business Becoming An Arson Statistic
(Arson Prevention Bureau)
Prevention & Control of Arson In Industrial & Commercial Premises
(Arson Prevention Bureau)
Secured By Design (Police Security Advice)
Protecting Your Vehicle
Vehicle arson is the single most common type of arson accounting for nearly two-thirds of all deliberate fires. The vast majority of car fires are started to cover up other criminal activity or simply as an act of vandalism.
Car Fires - The Continuing Problem And How To Help Extinguish It
(Arson Prevention Bureau)
Places of Worship
Hundreds of major arson attacks on places of worship happen each year and they face unique problems that can make them specific targets:
- Religious articles often have a high value and may not be locked away at night.
- There may be expensive equipment left on-site, such as a PA system or musical instruments.
- Places of worship can attract people looking for shelter who may start fires either accidentally or deliberately.
- Places of worship may be a target for hate crime in some areas.
Arson - The Major Threat To Places Of Worship (Arson Prevention Bureau)
Protecting Our Schools
There are hundreds of arson attacks on schools each year and incredibly a third of these happen during normal school hours. Typically carried out by either a pupil or ex-pupils who live in the local area, these attacks are often opportunistic.
Leaflets below are from Fire Prevention Bureau website;
How To Combat Arson In Schools (2003)
How To Combat Arson In Schools Leaflet (2004)
Last updated 28/11/2007