You are here:- Home / Your Safety / Safer Neighbourhoods / Care Team

Community Arson Reduction and Education (CARE) Team

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue formed the Community Arson Reduction and Education (CARE) Team in 2010.  The CARE Team are tasked with preventing and reducing arson by identifying contributing factors and trends that increase the likelihood of arson and supporting local Fire and Rescue Stations across Leicestershire and Rutland.

By doing so the team are charged with implementing projects to both reduce arson and evaluate their effectiveness. We use a problem solving strategy that targets the three main elements relating to arson reduction:

• Offender
• Target
• Motive

As a consequence the team work with a variety of organisations to identify arsonists, and, if necessary, to prosecute persistent offenders.  Another target for the team is to remove and secure any arson targets as well as to educate potential arsonists to change their behaviour.

We are engaged in a number of projects and initiatives to achieve these goals:  the Arson Reduction Unit - using a mobile CCTV unit and FireBeat - putting firefighters on pushbikes in hotspot arson areas. In addition the Team capitalise on Environmental Action Days by removing potential fuel sources from selected areas and carry out daily analysis of fire statistics to identify patterns and trends emerging across the local community.  The Team also work closely with Crimestoppers, City Wardens, Environmental Crime and the Police, dealing regularly with anti-social behaviour, bins, fly tipping and other similar issues.

The team work with local communities in the firm belief that we can contribute to the reduction of deliberate fires.  To this end the team reduces the opportunity for arson by identifying and reporting abandoned vehicles and rubbish.  We work with local businesses by providing Arson Risk Assessment information and attend post incident visits with the Arson Task Force van.

We are also responsible for all city school notice boards, working with local schools to provide Arson Education Programmes.  The Team also install tri-signs in arson hot spots.

We attend community and neighbourhood management meetings to share and receive information with partner organisations relating to arson risks.  By doing so the community will make their area a safer and better place to live by reducing the deaths, injuries and financial losses.

A consequence of this to Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service is a lessening of demand on their services at a time of diminishing resources.

For further information contact Ashraf Hajat on 0116 2872241 or email info@lfrs.org