Watch Commander Sean Tomkins West Midlands Fire Service

Watch Commander Sean Tomkins West Midlands Fire Service Arson Task Force & Fire Investigation & Prevention Section

Arson Task Force

• • • Profile of the arsonist Cost of Fire Economic downturn Cost to the tax payer Communication/ Prevention

Six classifications of a fire-setter. • • • Vandalism Excitement Revenge Crime concealment Profit Extremism

Typical Arsonist • • • Raised in a chaotic environment Peak age for being arrested for arson is 15 White male 17 -26 years old, revenge/ serial arsonist Lacks safety awareness Peer dominated Victim of physical or sexual abuse Loners Live a quarter of a mile from the incident Likes to watch the results of there work, may even call the fire service.

Cost of Fire • The estimated total cost of fire for England in 2008 was £ 8. 3 bn. • This was similar to 2006, increasing only slightly by 1. 0 per cent from £ 8. 2 bn (2006) to • The cost of arson decreased to £ 1. 7 bn (2008) from £ 1. 9 bn (2006).

Statistics What damage does the arsonist cause • Schools students affected. Willenhall School Fire, Community impact, disruption to students, etc, etc. • Business 80 % do not recover from major fire. Jobs, Community impact. • Communities Creates the fear of crime, certain areas look like war zones, discourages business investment, leading to the loss of jobs.

? What follows a double/ triple dip

Alls Great? ? 76% reduction in incidents since 2003 after the creation of Arson Task Forces Nationally

Cost of Fire • The estimated total cost of fire for England in 2008 was £ 8. 3 bn. • This was similar to 2006, increasing only slightly by 1. 0 per cent from £ 8. 2 bn (2006) to • The cost of arson decreased to £ 1. 7 bn (2008) from £ 1. 9 bn (2006). • Less incidents, cost still increasing What effect has austerity had on the fire service? .

West Midlands cost • • • 27% of total cost of fire arson related? ? Cost of response 1. 8 bn Cost per incident £ 3, 186 Domestic fires £ 41, 293 Commercial £ 72. 135 Public Sector £ 56, 787 Economic cost of fire 2008

Prevention/ Reduction Process Scanning – Routine scanning for emerging and existing problems Analysis – Analyse the features to identify the causes (why and How it’s happening) Response – Take action to solve the problem & reduce the risk of it happening again Assessment – Examine the effectiveness of the response

General Advice • • • • Rubbish Removal – Wheelie Bins Positioning of Skips General Lighting (BS 5489 Advisory Note) CCTV Broken Windows Effect Empty/ Unsecured Properties Abandoned Cars Parking – Preventing the obstruction of firefighting Community Communications Partnership working with your local Police and Fire Service (Fire Safety Centre) New development advice (Secure by Design) Your Office will also require a Fire Risk Assessment Sprinklers as one example of protection. Repair work (crime prevention) – Don’t replace to the same standard as it is clearly not fit for purpose!

Biggest Worries • Further cuts in services • Lack of investment Interest Rates

Rental properties

Bared cables at window Spikes Under Window

Incidents

Communication/ Prevention • • KYBIB KYHIB KYSIB RIFS

History

Repeat Incident Flagging System (RIFS) Case Study • • • --Original Message----From: Orders_E-Mail Sent: 17 October 07: 35 To: Sean Tomkins Subject: Multiple Incident Report - E 03 • • • New Incident: Incident No. : 61836; Date/Time: 17 -OCT-05: 29: 42 Address: Result Type: FDR; Property Type: Domestic; Motive: S; Station: E 03 • Previous Incidents (No. Date/Time Result Type Motive): 54773 06 -SEP- 23: 47: 02 FDR S •

Case study • • • -Original Message----From: Order's-Mail Sent: 13 October 2010 11: 21 To: Sean Tomkins Subject: Multiple Incident Report - E 07 • • • New Incident: Incident No. : 61225; Date/Time: 13 -OCT-2010 10: 43: 13 Address: Result Type: FAE; Property Type: Domestic; Motive: -; Station: E 07 • Previous Incidents (No. Date/Time Result Type Motive): - • • • 49690 11 -AUG-2010 19: 54: 32 FAE 75340 09 -DEC-2009 18: 19: 48 FAE 44182 18 -JUL-2009 17: 00: 18 FAE 41804 05 -JUL-2009 13: 17: 40 FAE 39195 25 -JUN-2009 17: 12: 55 FAE 38154 21 -JUN-2009 13: 20: 13 FAE -

250, 000 properties Sandwell Coventry Walsall WMFS Solihull Wolves Dudley B, Ham

Partnership working, sharing data and best practice. Reduced cost to all Reduced incidents Reduced risk for fire fighters & public One stop shop.

Any Questions