Arson Task Force

Protection, prevention, intervention

In 2004, Surrey Fire and Rescue Service set up an Arson Task Force (ATF) in a bid to address the growing number of arson attacks in the county. The ATF instigates and maintains close working relationships with all the agencies that make up the Safer Surrey Heath Partnership, as well as Crimestoppers, in order to improve community safety.

The ATF team consists of a fire investigation and arson reduction officer, a detective sergeant, a fire investigation search dog and its handler. Fire investigation search dogs have a vital role in detecting ignitable liquids and clothing that may have been left at the scene and could be used as evidence, following suspicious arson attacks. As well as its work attending suspicious fires and tracking patterns of arson, the ATF team formulates initiatives to prevent arson attacks occurring in the first place. This includes the Countryside Arson Campaign in Surrey Heath.

Countryside Arson Campaign

In May 2007, Surrey's ATF joined forces with Surrey Crimestoppers and the Safer Surrey Heath Partnership to mount a campaign aimed at combating countryside arson. In the last three years, firefighters from Surrey Fire and Rescue Service have attended over 2,650 grassland fires - 455 of these in Surrey Heath alone.

A grassland fire, also known as a heath fire, is any fire that occurs on grassland, parks or farmland and amongst trees, bushes and undergrowth. Heath fires are at their most devastating during periods of hot and sunny weather when the grass, undergrowth or common area becomes dry. As well as the potentially fatal consequences to human life, the many areas of beauty across the borough and the wildlife are threatened by incidents of arson. Many animals are unable to escape from fire and will be burnt, birds can fly away but nests and eggs that are left behind destroyed.

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service's Borough Manager for Surrey Heath, Martin Goad, said: "Surrey Heath historically falls victim to a high number of antisocial fires on our heathland areas. These fires not only provide a high level of risk to our communities, homes, the environment and firefighters, but take up a huge amount of firefighting resources that could be needed elsewhere.

"As part of our strategy to prevent arson attacks occurring in the first place, we are working closely with members of the Safer Surrey Heath Partnership, which has funded two mountain bikes for firefighters to use for fire prevention work in vulnerable areas in the borough. The bikes not only provide a visual presence, but allow us to interact with members of the public, advising them on countryside safety and asking their help in keeping eyes and ears open for any potential fire starters."

In 2006, Surrey Heath experienced the largest reduction in grass related fires within the county, believed to be as a direct result of fire prevention initiatives, including regular bike patrols by fire officers.

In October 2007, commercial and property insurer FM Global donated £2,750 to Surrey Fire and Rescue Service to aid its fire investigation procedures. The funding, awarded through FM Global's Fire Prevention programme, has allowed the ATF to purchase five new fire investigation cameras. Digital imagery is used to compile vital fire investigation reports, which can pinpoint the causes of fires and fundamentally, identify evidence of arson.

In 2007, a bid from Surrey Fire and Rescue Service/Surrey County Council resulted in £10,000 being agreed by the Safer Surrey Heath Partnersgip for the continuation of a joint project with Surrey Police to reduce arson incident levels and increase reporting.

For general and free professional advice, contact Surrey Fire and Rescue Service's Arson Task Force on 01737 733680, visit your local fire station or log on to www.surrey-fire.gov.uk Opens in a new window

If you have information about someone deliberately starting fires, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Rewards are available for information which leads to a conviction.