ALRIGHT SIR, WHERE’S THE FIRE?? THE POLICE PERSPECTIVE OF ARSON, PREVENTION, & INVESTIGATION.

What do the Police know about arson? ● Not much – low level crime. ● Denmark street 38 deaths Mass Murder ? Mass Murder ?

Crime statistics ● Reading with Wokingham Police Area = 2 unitary authorities : 295,000 people 2 unitary authorities : 295,000 people ● April – Sept ’03 : 20,000 crimes ● Key BVPI crimes Burglary Dwelling : 1700 (Ouch! +30%) Burglary Dwelling : 1700 (Ouch! +30%) Violent crime : 2900 (Ouch! +16%) Violent crime : 2900 (Ouch! +16%) Vehicle crime : 4700 (Phew! – 4%) Vehicle crime : 4700 (Phew! – 4%)

● Arson offences : 95 (Ouch! +19%) only accounts for ½ % of all our crime!! only accounts for ½ % of all our crime!! ● Berks Fire figures for arson : 460 ● This large discrepancy is also seen nationally – Police figures last year = 66,000 ( < 1%) Police figures last year = 66,000 ( < 1%) Fire Service ” ” ” = 200,000 Fire Service ” ” ” = 200,000 Arson

Disparity & NCRS ● Recording and measurement differences ● NCRS – all reports of incidents recorded Incident recorded as a crime if it is more likely than not that a crime has been committed and there is no credible evidence to the contrary Incident recorded as a crime if it is more likely than not that a crime has been committed and there is no credible evidence to the contrary ● Malicious & doubtful v. deliberate & suspicious

Classification/Points to prove Arson if - ● without lawful excuse ● damages or destroys another’s property by fire ● with intent to do so or being reckless as to whether property would be damaged /destroyed

● without lawful excuse ● damages or destroys ANY property ● intending to do so or being reckless as to whether the property would be destroyed or damaged ● AND intending to endanger life by doing so or being reckless as to whether life would be endangered Arson with intent to endanger life if

● Reckless about what you did – if you were aware that a risk existed or would exist regarding your deeds ● Reckless about what you did – if you were aware that a risk existed or would exist regarding your deeds ● Reckless about the result of what you did – if you were aware of the risk that the result would occur and from what was known to you it was unreasonable to take that risk ● Reckless about the result of what you did – if you were aware of the risk that the result would occur and from what was known to you it was unreasonable to take that risk New definition of recklessness – R v. G. & R. – House of Lords 16/10/03

Successful Prosecutions Y2K ● Of the 2,500 charged with arson – ● 88% male (40% boys aged ) ● 12% female ● 1,600 found guilty (64%) ● 500 imprisoned (10 MHA hospital orders) ● Remainder subject to community sentences

Offender Profiles General – ● Deprived parental background ● Low educational status ● Inferior employment record ● Possible history of sex abuse ● Lack of self-confidence / self-esteem

Young Arsonists ● Curious – younger with low impulse control ● Troubled – youth with an arson history who has experienced recent trauma/crisis ● Delinquent – youth with poor interpersonal skills, impulsive & irresponsible ● Strategic – youth with a criminal record who regards legal consequences as a joke ● Pathological – rare – youth with emotional & behavioural problems – loners.

Motivation - general ● Youth disorder & nuisance ● Maliciousness ● Psychological ● Criminal

Arson Prevention ● Partnership – Fire Service at the helm ● Local Authority – Big part to play – Social / Youth / Leisure / Environmental / Housing / Regeneration / Planning / Transport / Finance Social / Youth / Leisure / Environmental / Housing / Regeneration / Planning / Transport / Finance ● Who else? NHW, Victim support, YOTS, Probation, Media, Schools / LEA, Business, Crimestoppers & Police !!! NHW, Victim support, YOTS, Probation, Media, Schools / LEA, Business, Crimestoppers & Police !!!

● Data / Intelligence ● Investigation & Enforcement ● Design out crime advice ● Schools & Community Liaison ● Management of truants What can the Police provide ?

What works to prevent arson ? ● Target hardening ● Targeted enforcement ● Targeted education ● Targeted treatment

Arson investigation ● Level of priority mismatch ● Control rooms - different emphasis ● Common Approach Path (CAP) ● First officer on scene ● Observation ● Scene preservation ● Evidence recognition ● Record, record, record!!!

Police investigation ● Call handling & initial response ● Scene assessment, preservation & examination ● Evidence gathering ● Witness management ● Suspect enquiries / handling ● Post charge activities ● File preparation and trial

CPIA Disclosure ● Duty of care re all reasonable enquiries ● Record / retain / reveal all material ● Relevance to fire investigators

How can we improve? ● Arson task forces ● Information sharing ● Training – joint initiatives