Location of arson offences: Overview
The Home Office annual ‘UK Fire Statistics’ classify fires under broad headings;
detailed tables can be found at :
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/fire1.html
In 1999, over 60% (57,000) of all deliberately started primary fires involved road
vehicles (mainly cars). The remaining 34,000 fires were spread as follows: 15,600
(17%) in buildings other than dwellings; 11,300 (12%) in dwellings (including caravans,
mobile homes, houseboats and other non-buildings when used as a place of permanent
residence); 7,000 (8%) in other outdoor locations, including garages and sheds (3%).
Within the total number of fires the buildings more prone than others to deliberate
ignition were private garages and sheds (over 70%); schools (59%); construction industry
premises (60%) and agricultural buildings (47%). The graph below illustrates this
data.
Although only 19% of all dwelling fires are thought to have been set deliberately,
over three-quarters of all casualties in deliberate fires in buildings occur in dwellings
(77%).
British Crime Survey
Data from the B.C.S. supports the fire statistics in showing that motor vehicles
are the most common target of arson attacks. This usually follows the theft of the
vehicle. Household property such as fences, gates, doors, garages, dustbins and signs
are the next most common target. Internal damage tends to involve burning material
(lighted papers, fireworks) being pushed through letterboxes.
Targets of arson attacks
|
Target
|
% of arson incidents
|
|
Motor vehicles
|
42
|
|
Fences or gardens
|
15
|
|
Other outside premises
|
15
|
|
To premises
|
7
|
|
Inside premises
|
13
|
|
Specific items
|
11
|
|
Other damage
|
10
|
|
Unweighted N
|
124
|
Notes:
Source 1994 & 1996 BCS. Three victim forms. Base excludes don’t know responses.
More than one target could be involved in one incident
The B.C.S. also found that incidents of arson were rated relatively seriously by
victims: 45% were rated in the top half of seriousness compared to 7% of all criminal
damage incidents and 10% of all household crimes.
Click for more information regarding the risks at specific locations and types
of premises:
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