Arson

What is arson?

Arson is deliberately setting fire to anything, be it big or small. This can range from items as small as a toilet roll, up to something as large as a building. If you set fire to it, that’s arson.

Prosecutions and legal action?

Arson is illegal. Anyone caught deliberately setting fires will be prosecuted. Those found guilty can face a prison sentence

Arson with intent to endanger life = 14 years imprisonment
Arson with intent to cause criminal damage = seven years imprisonment

What is Southwark Council doing about arson?

Southwark employs an arson reduction officer to reduce deliberate fire setting in the borough. Lots of work has already been done to reduce the number of deliberately started fires but arson is still a problem

Between 2003 and 2004 there were 1,710 deliberately started fires
Between 2004 and 2005 there were 1,280 deliberately started fires

This is a 25% reduction. Southwark Council and London Fire Brigade are working to reduce this number even more, year after year. With your help, we can!

What you should know

Starting fires outdoors is dangerous. Just because the fire isn’t started in a building doesn’t make it safe
Deliberately starting fires is a crime and the police will prosecute you if you are caught
If you know someone who deliberately starts fires you should tell a parent or teacher or family friend before they hurt themselves or worse, someone else
Burning rubbish can be very bad for your health and the environment. For example, when newspapers and plastics are burned they produce lots of chemicals that are bad for you if you breathe them in
Setting fire to vehicles is extremely dangerous. The petrol can ignite and cause an explosion, acids in the engine can cause very serious burns, hydraulic rods which open boot doors can explode and shoot away from the car at very high speed causing very serious injuries and even death
Lighting anything with petrol is very dangerous. A naked flame will ignite the fumes almost immediately. You won’t have time to run and are likely to get badly burned
While the fire brigade are putting out a deliberate fire, they could be using that time to rescue someone, maybe someone you know, from a burning house or a road traffic accident
It is estimated that children start approximately one in every four fires in London

What to look for

There are several reasons why people set fires, ranging from revenge to attention-seeking to simple curiosity. Signs of an unhealthy interest in fire might be

Small burn holes in carpets or clothes
Charred material in waste bins
Hidden matches or lighters
Unusual fascination with fire

If you think someone you know is playing with or setting fires

Make sure matches and lighters are stored out of sight and reach of children
Never leave children alone in the house, even for small periods of time
Search for lighters and/or matches in bedrooms and school bags
Carry out regular checks for signs of fire setting, such as burn marks on carpets, beds and furniture, particularly in bedrooms
Keep garden sheds and garages locked to prevent access to flammable items
Try to keep the home free from newspapers and magazines that could be set alight
Make sure the home is fitted with smoke alarms. It is recommended that a smoke alarm should be installed in every room except the bathroom, toilet and kitchen
Test the smoke alarm weekly by pressing the test button. Change the batteries once a year

What residents can do

Make sure all windows or doors have locks and that they are secure. Close or lock all windows and doors, even if you're just popping out for a few minutes
If you are worried about arson, install fireproof metal boxes to the inside of your letterbox or purchase and fit an external post box. The London Fire Brigade and Victim Support are able to fit these for you
Install and maintain smoke alarms and fire extinguishers. The London Fire Brigade can provide a free home fire safety check. See number to call below
Identify any hazards and make sure all matches and lighters are stored in a safe place (remember that children like to imitate grown-ups and/or are curious when it comes to fire
Flammable and dangerous liquids ie barbecue lighter fuel should always be kept safely under lock and key
Make sure all rubbish and wheelie bins are kept a safe distance from any buildings, ideally eight metres. Remember fire spreads quickly and unpredictably
Do not allow bulk refuse such as cardboard, mattresses etc to accumulate near your property. Southwark Council will remove all bulk items. See the phone number below
If you are worried about strangers or groups of youths hanging around, call the police or speak with your local community wardens
Keep all sheds and garages locked to prevent access from intruders
Do not leave a spare key “hidden” anywhere around the property

Useful numbers

CrimeStoppers 0800 555 111
Southwark Metropolitan Police 020 7378 1212
Southwark Anti Social Behaviour Unit 020 7232 7001
LFB Free Home Fire Safety Check 0800 028 4428
Southwark Council Vehicle and Refuse Removal 020 7525 2000
Victim Support 020 7378 8886

Remember, if you see a fire that is still alight, do not attempt to put it out, call 999!

Contact us

Arson Reduction Officer
Tel: 020 7525 0868
yvonne.drake@southwark.gov.uk