ATF organisation & structure
The strategic Arson Task Force (ATF) is currently made up of Mike Fowler from Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service and PC Neil Windsor from Cambirdgeshire Constabulary, who joined the ATF in 2004 under an agreement of partnership working between the fire service and the police.
The local view
While Neil and Mike operate from Fire Service headquarters in Hinchingbrooke, Risk Managers work in each district to ensure that the specific needs of their community are met. Risk managers are station managers who carry out the arson reduction role as part of their responsibilities. Without them, the work of the ATF across the county would be far less effective. Neil and Mike meet with the district based risk managers regularly, to focus on arson reduction and communitiy safety initiatives tailored to each of the district's individual needs, and to determine best practice and the way forward in driving down arson.
In addition to that, the team continues to work with the six districts to ensure the establishment of local district based Arson Action/Reduction Groups. So far, Peterborough, Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire have established active groups and the others are working to achieve this with partnership agencies such as the local council, local police officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and other interested parties.
Beyond Cambridgeshire
The team has worked very closely with other ATFs across the country with the aim of establishing closer links by sharing experiences, ideas and best-practice.
