FIRE INVESTIGATION - WHO CARES? Les Vivian Arson Forum Co-ordinator Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service The Socio-Economic Aspects of Arson

FIRE THE NATIONAL PICTURE In some socially deprived areas: risk of fire is 7 times higher risk of death by fire is 16 times higher risk of arson is 31 times higher

The continuing long-term increase ARSON Other outdoors Road vehicles Other buildings Dwellings

WHAT DOES IT COST? Human Cost Human Cost Social Cost Social Cost Financial Cost Financial Cost ARSON

THE HUMAN COST In 2001 deliberate fires: caused 1 in 4 of all fire casualties caused 1 in 4 of all fire casualties killed about 80 people killed about 80 people seriously injured about seriously injured about ARSON

THE SOCIAL COST loss of community facilities loss of community facilities the visual impact on the environment is devastating the visual impact on the environment is devastating the loss of a classroom in a school fire can be a life-changing event for some pupils the loss of a classroom in a school fire can be a life-changing event for some pupils ARSON

THE FINANCIAL COST Estimated to be in excess of ……. £2.1 billion per year ARSON

Last year, in Hampshire alone, over 1700 vehicles were deliberately torched Average cost of a deliberate vehicle fire is £4000 Home Office Research Study 229: 2001 ARSON In VEHICLES…….. Hampshire’s ‘bill’ – over £6.5 million!

ARSON In VEHICLES…….. If all vehicles deliberately torched in Hampshire were driven at 70 mph along a motorway……… It would take nearly an hour for the queue to pass!

ARSON In VEHICLES…….. Redbridge in Southampton was the worst area in Hampshire in 2001 vehicle arson was up 42% on 2000 vehicle arson was up 42% on 2000 peaked at 32 in July that year peaked at 32 in July that year 1 car fire per day 1 car fire per day

ARSON In VEHICLES…….. ‘spotting’ abandoned cars ‘spotting’ abandoned cars aimed to reduce car fires by:- faxing details to the local council faxing details to the local council giving a legitimate method of disposing of unwanted vehicles giving a legitimate method of disposing of unwanted vehicles PROJECT CAR CLEAR

cut vehicle arson by.. cut vehicle arson by.. 25% 25% cut arson in ‘derelict’ cars by.. cut arson in ‘derelict’ cars by..43% In 2002: PROJECT CAR CLEAR

Nationally…. ARSON IN SCHOOLS 2001 ‘bill’ estimated to be £56 million 2001 ‘bill’ estimated to be £56 million 3 schools per day damaged or destroyed 3 schools per day damaged or destroyed Schools are the most arson-hit buildings Schools are the most arson-hit buildings

ARSON IN SCHOOLS A Pupil Referral Unit in Hampshire was completely destroyed by an arson fire in June 2002  Rebuilding£  Firefighting £  Police £5 500  Legal costs (courts etc) not known  Prison Service £ TOTAL COST: £3.2 million+ !!

One arson cost £3.2 million: If we paid the culprit £150 per day for all of his working life…………. we would still be £ to the good!! SO……. not to set fires……………………..

ARSON IN SCHOOLS Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service ‘housekeeping’ ‘housekeeping’ ‘Firesetters’ Intervention ‘Firesetters’ Intervention Schools’ Unit Schools’ Unit A package of measures to protect schools from arson:

FIRE INVESTIGATION - WHO CARES? Les Vivian Arson Forum Co-ordinator Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service The Socio-Economic Aspects of Arson