Find
out about our Arson campaign here
About the Arson Reduction Team
The Avon and Somerset Arson Task Redcution
team is a partnership between Avon
Fire & Rescue Service, Avon and Somerset Constabulary and
Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service,
which aims to reduce arson through a variety of schemes
including:
Education
The most likely offenders involved with arson are 11 -19 year
olds. The Arson Reduction Team visits schools throughout the area
teaching students about the dangers and consequences of
arson.
Youth Worker
The Arson Reduction Team has a dedicated youth worker who
carries out intervention programmes with young people who have
either been cautioned or convicted of arson.
Prevention
Specialist advice is available from the Arson Reduction Team on
reducing and preventing the risk of your property suffering an
arson attack.
Cleaner Communities
The Arson Reduction Team has introduced Environmental Action
Days (EADs). EADs target areas where there are specific problems,
such as arson or vandalism. During these special days a team of
people from different enforcement agencies, such as Avon &
Somerset Constabulary and the local council, walk around the area
taking action as they find problems.
The work carried out during an EAD might include picking up
rubbish from the streets, removing untaxed, dangerous or abandoned
vehicles, cleaning up graffiti, giving fire safety advice, fitting
free smoke alarms and carrying out a truancy patrol.
EADs help clean up neighbourhoods, making them more pleasant and
safer places for everyone to live in. They also aim to lower crime
levels and address anti-social behaviour.
Investigation
All agencies involved in the investigation of arson (police, fire,
insurance, CSI - Crime Scene investigators) work together when
investigating an arson incident to collect as much
information as possible.
Information is shared between the agencies to help
them with a speedy and positive investigation.
The work of Avon Fire & Rescue’s Fire Investigation
Team has been recognised nationally. In 2006, the Chair of the
Government led Arson Control Forum commended the team for
its close working relationship with police and CSI teams.
Detection
The Arson Reduction Team also has a full time Police Detective
in the team, who coordinates the police and fire service
investigations. They also give vital expertise at scenes
of arson, and suspected arson, to ensure the maximum amount of
evidence is preserved and obtained.
Avon Fire & Rescue Service fully supports the Government
initiative to reduce arson fires by 10% by 31 March 2010. The
benchmark figure to measure the team’s success is the number of
deliberate fires that AF&RS attended in 2001.
Car Clear
The Arson Reduction Team pioneered the innovative Car Clear
scheme, which aims to remove abandoned cars before they are set
light.
This scheme has been a huge success in reducing the number of
deliberate vehicle fires.
You can report abandoned vehicles to Car Clear on 08000 835
115.
Further information
Arson Leaflet - What's the cost? (PDF 575kb,
opens in a new window)
You can find further information about the Government
initiative to reduce arson on the
Department for Communities and Local Government
website