BIG DROP IN ARSON ATTACKS

The Arson Reduction Team (ART), a partnership between East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service (ESFRS) and Sussex Police, has released figures showing a substantial drop in deliberately started fires in East Sussex.

Nationally, over the last ten years the number of arson incidents has more than doubled (in an average week the cost to society is at least 55 million) however this number has been dramatically reduced with the help of the ART.

The ART was set up, through the Arson Control Forum, in response to the Government led strategy to put in place more effective arson control arrangements.

The East Sussex-based team has done so well, they have stretched their target to reduce the number of deliberately started fires. The Arson Control Forum aimed to achieve a 10% reduction across the UK but the ART has set a 20% reduction target in East Sussex.

The Arson Reduction Team consists of a Fire Service Watch Manager from ESFRS, a Police Sergeant from Sussex Police, a Fire Investigation Dog Team from ESFRS and an Information Co-ordinator.

Now the team is to be joined by an anti-crime officer from East Sussex County Council. Kenneth Foster will start his position of Senior Environmental Crime Enforcement Officer on Monday 17 July, working from the ART office at Whitley Road, Eastbourne. This unique addition will ensure the public see a quick response to anti-social problems that they report such as rubbish on the streets and abandoned cars. Both of these issues are key targets for potential arsonists.

Mark Marsden, Fire Service Watch Manager, ESFRS, said: "The reduction in deliberate fires in East Sussex throughout the last eighteen months has been huge. This is a fantastic result and shows the positive effects that the Arson Reduction Team, working with its partners, has had on the community. Considering the team only formed eighteen months ago, our figures compared to the national ones show the success we have had so far."

In 2001/02, 3403 fires where deliberately started but with the help of the ART, this figure dropped by 44.34% to 1894, in 2005/06.

Neil Tucker, Police Sergeant, Sussex Police, said: "Partnership working is key to our excellent success and the Arson Reduction Team will benefit immensely from the Council providing a dedicated Senior Environmental Crime Enforcement Officer, focussed on achieving results."