Projects and activities
The work of the Arson Task Force
The ATF has set up numerous schemes to assist both police and the fire service to reduce the volume of arson in the county as well as increasing the detection rates for this serious and potentially life-threatening crime.
The following headings below describe some of the work we undertake to help tackle arson in the county. For more information on the organisation and members of the task force, see Structure of the ATF.
Fire investigation
Following initial work undertaken to establish fire investigation within the fire and police service, the ATF has:
- Undertaken a review of fire investigation procedures covering record taking / keeping
- Carried out a review of photographic evidence
- Review partnership working with Scenes of Crime Officers (SOCOs) and the Forensic Science Service (FSS)
- Identied training needs of police and fire service personnel
- Looked at succession planning to ensure fire investigation is maintained.
Regional fire investigation project
The team has been actively involved with the Regional Fire Investigation Project, joining with Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk. The project has progressed to such an extent that a draft Regional Policy has now been developed. This Regional Policy was offered out for consultation with the key stakeholders, which are:
- Fire and rescue services
- Police
- Scenes of Crime officers (SOCO)
- Forensic Science Service
- Coroner
- Representative bodies (such as the Fire Brigades Union)
- Specialist private fire investigator companies.
Abandoned vehicles protocol
Work has been completed in the development of a county based protocol to remove abandoned cars from the sides of roads and other areas to prevent them from being set on fire. The document has been fully adopted by all the partners involved and as a result, abandoned vehicle removal has been prioritised.
Environmental action days
On a regular basis, our district staff join together with local partner agencies to help tidy up the environment. Their focused work includes removing abandoned cars and scrubbing away graffiti. Representatives from the services and organisations also take the opportunity to knock on doors and offer crime prevention advice, fit door chains for elderly residents, fit smoke alarms and carry out home fire safety checks.
Education
The ATF team has been working closely with the StopWatch theatre company in the development and delivery of the 'Arson About' production. Now in its third year, the play delivers hard hitting messages to Year Eight students about the consequences of arson.
You can learn more about the Arson About production in our education section.
Youth work in schools
The ATF supports the development and delivery of a mock court set-up involving a fire scenario. The aim of the scenario is to focus youg people aged 15 and 16 on the consequences of taking the wrong decisions and actions.
A court environment was created involving real magistrates, barristers, police and fire officers. Students from the audience played various parts, including the accused, the victim, witnesses and courtroom staff. The scenario takes the youngsters through a courtroom experience, culminating in the sentencing procedures adopted within a court.
It is anticipated that this particular project will be used in other schools and colleges.
The Burned Children's Club
During August 2007, the ATF team was involved with the Burned Children's Club. The organisation holds both a national and regional camp over a two-week period at Grafham Water in Cambridgeshire. Volunteers from various fire and rescue services support the dedicated burns staff during this time. Last year, the ATF arranged a charity auction which raised £151 for the Burned Children's Club.
The ATF continues to be involved in the project steering group of the department of Communities and Local Government (CLG), which reviews a number of funded projects such as the Burned Children's Club camp.
- Visit the CLG website (opens in a new window).
Covert operations
The Arson Task Force has financed the purchase and training of covert surveillance cameras for use in the reduction and detection of deliberate fires. These cameras are available to police officers on request through the task force as a tool to combat crime and gain best evidence. We also have hydrocarbon detector dogs, specialist investigation equipment and fire engineering scientists available to assist police in the full investigation of arson incidents.
Regional ATF meeting
Please see Structure of the ATF.
Risk Managers group
Please see Structure of the ATF.
Arson action/reduction groups
Please see Structure of the ATF.
