FIRE INVESTIGATION WHO CARES?

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

2. 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

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

4. ARSON WHAT DOES IT COST? • Human Cost • Social Cost • Financial Cost

5. ARSON THE HUMAN COST In 2001 deliberate fires: • caused 1 in 4 of all fire casualties • killed about 80 people • seriously injured about 3 400

6. ARSON THE SOCIAL COST • loss of community facilities • 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

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

8. ARSON In VEHICLES…….. 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 Hampshire’s ‘bill’ – over £6.5 million!

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

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

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

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

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

14. ARSON IN SCHOOLS A Pupil Referral Unit in Hampshire was completely destroyed by an arson fire in June 2002 • Rebuilding £3 200 000 • Firefighting £15 000 • Police £5 500 • Legal costs (courts etc) not known • Prison Service £13 500 TOTAL COST: £3.2 million+ !!

15. One arson cost £3.2 million: SO……. If we paid the culprit £150 per day for all of his working life…………. not to set fires…………………….. we would still be £400 000 to the good!!

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

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