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Arson Task Force


Introduction
In the past year, 3123 fires attended by Leicestershire Fire & Rescue Service were started deliberately. This figure represents 68% of all fires attended by the service and remains the single largest cause of major fires in the UK. Arson is a serious issue and can result in injury, damage to property and even loss of life.

Arson Task Force
Formally established in June 2004, the Arson Task Force (ATF) is based within the Fire and Rescue Service and comprises a Fire Office, Police Officer, Researcher and Administrator. The team has an overall remit to prevent and to year on year reduce arson in the Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service area and aims to:

   Identify the contributing factor to arson
   Identify arson trends
   Implement projects to reduce arson
   Evaluate arson projects

Arson Taskforce Van at youth football match

These aims are achieved by using a problem solving strategy that locates three main elements: offender, target and motive. We are consequently involved in many activities working with different organisations to identify and prosecute persistent arsonists, remove and secure potential arson targets and educate and divert existing and potential arsonists.

Examples of some of our projects such as the Arson Reduction Unit - the mobile CCTV unit, Fireball - football project for young people and Environmental Action Days - removing potential fuel sources from selected areas, can be found on this website. We also work closely with Crimestoppers and our colleagues within the Fire and Rescue Service as in the case of Firecare, our programme for juvenile firesetters.

The ATF aims to help communities help themselves, reducing the number of deliberate fires will contribute to:

  • Making your area a safer and better place to live
  • Reducing fire deaths, injuries and financial losses Sustaining the environment
  • Reducing the demands on Fire & Rescue Service and Police resources

We do deliver projects that you may benefit from directly, but in general everyone can benefit from the ATF by following its advice, helping them in offender enquiries and passing the message on. If you do require further advice, the team can be contacted through Fire Service Headquarters on 0116 2872241 or through email: arsontaskforce@LFRS.org

To report an arson risk: click here.