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‘Enjoy it! Don’t Destroy It’ – Heathland Awareness Campaign

This campaign was launched to raise awareness of the devastating effects of arson in the county on areas such as heathland. Dorset is renowned for having outstanding scenery both on the coastline and further inland. One of the assets Dorset has is its heathlands with over 96% of these now protected as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

A high profile visual banner campaign raises awareness of the dangers and devastating effects of arson on Dorset heathlands and actively encourages people to contact Dorset Crimestoppers if they see anyone acting suspiciously on the heaths. Banners and posters are displayed on fire stations, schools, school transport buses, youth clubs, other youth associated premises, and within local communities situated close to heathland. Leaflets are also available to support the campaign.

The initiative is a result of partnership working with local communities, police, countryside agency, Urban Heath Partnership, local authorities and schools. New and innovative projects across the County aimed at tackling the growing menace of arson will attract a share of over £9 million of funding.

Bournemouth Local Authority has secured £57,000 for developing a car clearance scheme for 2004-2006. Dorset area has also secured a total of £45,000 to develop an Arson Task Force over the following two years. These monies are in addition to the two Arson Task Forces set up in Bournemouth and Poole already funded by the Arson Control Forum. As a result, the Service is now moving towards promoting successful arson control measures that have proved effective over the previous two years.

In conjunction with the North Dorset Community Safety Partnership the Service was pleased to successfully meet the Home Office's funding criteria and received £3,853. This money has been spent on training and equipping twelve uniformed staff to act as Firesetter Intervention Scheme Advisers.

The Dorset Fire and Rescue Service's 'Firesetter Intervention Scheme' is primarily aimed at young people and is intended to provide fire education in partnership with parents and other agencies to achieve a 'fire safe' person and environment.

The Arson Control Forum was created in April 2001 as a Government-led national body seeking to reduce arson-related deaths, injuries and damage. It brings together stakeholders such as the Fire and Rescue Service, local authorities, the police service, insurance companies and government departments.

• Raise public awareness of arson prevention and investigation issues
• Reduce number of deliberate fires and realted deaths, injuries and damage
• Maintain strategic overview of all arson preventionandinvestigation matters
• Develop, monitor and support initiatives improving arson prevention and detection
• Promote partnership and co-ordinate efforts amongst stakeholders to develop better policy on arson prevention and investigation
• Monitor and contribute to improvements in recording and detection of arson in UK
• Monitor and contribute to arson prevention and investigation work conducted by European and International bodies.

• The Fire and Rescue and Police services
• Insurance companies and association
• The Home Office and other Government Departments
• The Confedation of British Industry
• Local authorities
• The Fire Brigards’ Union and other trade unions or staff associations

Arson Control Forum Targets

Using 2001-2002 as a baselien year, the Forum is implementing a work programme to help meet the following Governemtn target on reducin arson: reduce by 10 per cent the number of deliberate fires by 31 March 2010, from 111,500 to 100,300 fires.

Latest Statistics

In the 12 months to December 2005, there were 66,000 deliberate primary fires in England, a 14 per cent reduction from the previous year. Deliberate vehicle fires fell by 14 per cent to 40,100, and the number of school fires started deliberately fell by 29 per cent to 482.

Achievements

• Invested £2.25 million in local arson reduction initiatives during 2001-2003
• Funded or part-funded 66 local initiatives to address arson, amounting to just under £0.9m in 2003/04; rising to just over £4.3m in 2004/05 and £4.1m in 2005/06
• Allocated a total of £3.3m to 29 car clearance schemes and a total of £4.6m to 24 arson task forces from 2003 to 2006. About £1.5m is being set aside to fund other more innovative solutions, in addition to existing funding commitments totalling just under £1m in 2003/04
• Held three good practice conference son 13 May 2004, 20 June 3005 and 26 June 2006, each attended by 250 delegates
• Issued improved interim guidance on fire investigation (Fire service circular no. 21/2000)
• Helped produce an Arson Toolkit as part of the Home Office Crime Reduction Programme
• Published guidance on: - juvenile firesetter intervention schemes - derelict cars - derelict or void buildings - refuse and fly-tipped rubbish - how to set up an arson task force.
• Commissioned research into: - The motivation of arsonists - The links between car arson, abandoned vehicles and other vehicle crime - Why arson prosecutions "fail" - The Forum’s New Projects Initiative - Social exclusion and the risk of fire

The Arson Problem

• Concealing evidence of criminal activity (such as, car theft)
• Illegally disposing of old cars
• Insurance fraud
• Mental health or psychological problems
• Revenge
• Youth disorder (for example, vandalism)

If you have information why not call "Crimestoppers" on Freephone number: 0800 555 111. Callers with information on crime are not asked their name.

This anonymity is the key to the scheme's success, because it provides callers with complete safety from any reprisals.

For further information visit the Crimestoppers website.

The Urban Heaths Life Project aims to protect the internationally important heathlands found in and around the urban areas of South East Dorset. One of the major causes of damage is uncontrolled fire caused by their close proximity to almost half a million people. Heathland fires are not just a problem for the wildlife of the heaths.

Anyone who starts a fire on a heathland is putting themselves, and anyone else in the area in serious danger. An integrated system for reporting heath fires is being developed through co-operation between Dorset Fire and Rescue Service and other members of the Urban Heaths Life Project.

For more information about the Urban Heaths Life Project contact Heather Tidball on 01202 886201 or visit the website www.dorsetheaths.org.uk.

The following is a list of resources you can access to obtain additional information on a wide range of arson related topics:

Arson Control Forum

Association of Fire Investigation Dog Handlers
 
Communities and Local Government - Arson Reduction 
 
Demolition Scrap Metal Prices 
 
Encams  

Fire Kills 
 
Fire Sprinkler Association

Home Office Crime Reduction

Home Office Crime Reduction - Safer Schools and Hospitals 

International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) UK Chapter 
 
Safer School Partnerships 

Secured by Design

Teacher Net 
 
Victim Support
 
Zurich - Schools Arson Initiative