Offender Profile: Age and Gender

Human interest in fire is normal in childhood. Research suggests that this interest may start as young as 2 and 3 years of age (Nurcombe, 1964), and amongst normal schoolboys at the ages of 6,8, and 10, an interest in fire has been found to be almost universal (Kafrey 1980). However, research also suggests that once an understanding of the dangerousness and potential consequences of fire-setting develops (usually after the age of 8), most children stop.

There is no clear definition of when fire-setting in childhood becomes abnormal. In the U.S.A, research has been undertaken to define the characteristics of children which put themselves at risk of setting further fires so that appropriate intervention programmes can be developed. Differences between groups of fire-setters and non fire-setters have been found, these included:

• more curiosity about fire and involvement in fire-related activities in the past and present

• more frequent exposure to peers and family members who were involved with fire

• more frequent complaints or concerns from adults about the child’s behaviour with fire

Source: Kolko & Kazdin, 1989

In England and Wales, in every year between 1995 and 1999, around a half of those found guilty or cautioned for arson were males aged under 18.

The number of people found guilty or cautioned for arson over the period 1995 to 1999 is shown in the following table.

Those found guilty or cautioned of arson offences1 by age and sex, in England and Wales, 1995-99      

Note:

1. Where proceedings involve more than one offence, the principal offence is shown in the table (see appendix 2 of Criminal Statistics, England and Wales 1998).

In common with offender populations in general, female fire-setters are rare – typically a maximum of 12% (Coles et al. 1981) and 16% (Jacobson 1985). Males are also over represented in samples of offenders referred to intervention schemes or professional counseling.