Arson Task Force

Introduction

In the past year, 2133 fires attended by Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service were started deliberately. This figure represents 56.5% 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 Officer, Police Officer, Researcher, Youth Inclusion Advisor and Administrator. The team has an overall remit to prevent and reduce arson in the Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service area year on year. We aim to:

Identify contributing factors 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 include the Arson Reduction Unit (a mobile CCTV unit), Fireball (a football project for young people) and Environmental Action Days (removing potential fuel sources from selected areas). We also work closely with Crimestoppers and 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 and 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 inquiries 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. For further contact details or to report an arson risk, click here

Arson Control Forum

The Arson Control Forum is a government-led national body established in 2001. Its aim is to achieve a sustained reduction in the number of deliberate fires and related deaths, injuries and property damage. To view the website of the Arson Control Forum, click here

Arson Documents

Arson Risk Assessments: A Practical Guide
(PDF 4.14Mb)

Arson Risk Assessment Checklist: Commercial Buildings
(PDF 2.91Mb)

Arson Risk Assessment Checklist: Public Buildings
(PDF 2.19Mb)

Arson Risk Assessment Checklist: Agricultural Buildings
(PDF 2.23Mb)

Arson Risk Assessment Checklist: Manufacturing Buildings
(PDF 2.20Mb)

Flyer: Protect your Business from Arson
(PDF 189Kb)

Flyer: Arson Hurts
(PDF 576Kb)