Key Activity/Requirements

Desired Outcome

Start Date

Impact Date

Contribution to Target/Aim/Comments

Draw together the recommendations of the Arson Scoping Study & other initiatives of APB, VCRAT & PCRAT into a coordinated strategy for tackling arson

Would enable targeting of effective arson prevention strategies & feed into the work of VCRAT & PCRAT

Sept ‘00

Ongoing

More effective strategy for tackling arson means success in achieving goals on reducing crime (Aim 1) & would have corresponding benefits in reducing the overall number of fires (Aim 7).

Revision of Circular in order to : -

• Provide framework for much closer working relationship between the police, fire service and forensic scientists.

• Give further guidance about each agencies respective role.
• Review terminology used on FDR1 etc.

• Cf Legislation Sub Group Programme

More integrated approach to the investigation of non-accidental fires. Enables more effective use of resources & reduces chances of Court cases failing for technical reasons.

Sept ‘00

Mar ‘01

More integrated approach to investigating fires means success in achieving goals on reducing crime (Aim 1) & would have corresponding benefits in reducing the overall number of fires (Aim 7).

Establishment of a framework to provide for the sharing of information particularly in civil cases and thereby avoid duplication of effort. Such a framework will need to recognise that the agencies involved have different remits and are working to different goals (e.g. fire investigators may be trying to establish liability under the insurance policy).

More integrated approach to the sharing common forensic information required by both criminal & civil investigations.

Sept ‘01

Ongoing

More integrated approach to sharing common forensic information means success in achieving goals on reducing crime (Aim 1) & would have corresponding benefits in reducing the overall number of fires (Aim 7).

Arson Prevention Programme: Establishment of an Accreditation Scheme for Loss Adjusters/insurers

Establishment of an Accreditation Scheme for Loss Adjusters & insurers that is acceptable to the police & fire services that will indicate the legitimacy of requests for information concerning suspicious fires to other agencies. As a first step initial points of contact should be established within all police forces/ fire brigades/loss adjusters/ insurers by producing a directory.

More open & freer sharing of information between the agencies charged with investigating a suspicious fire. Avoids duplication of effort & speeds up investigative process.

Jun ‘01

Ongoing

Easier and more open sharing of information means success in achieving goals on reducing crime (Aim 1) & would have corresponding benefits in reducing the overall number of fires (Aim 7).

Arson Prevention Programme: Development of Protocol for Sharing Information.

Establishment of local databases to detect & prevent local problems using as a framework the networks emanating from the Crime & Disorder Act.

More open sharing of information between the agencies charged with investigating suspicious fires.

Mar ‘ 01

Ongoing

More open sharing of information means success in achieving goals on reducing crime (Aim 1) & would have corresponding benefits in reducing the overall number of fires (Aim 7).

Arson Prevention Programme: Standardised Investigation Procedure

Devise a standardised investigation procedure/claim form

Would provide consistency in approach to insurance claim investigations

Sept ’01

Ongoing

Consistency of approach means success in achieving goals on reducing crime (Aim 1) & would have corresponding benefits in reducing the overall number of fires (Aim 7).

Arson Prevention Programme: Establishment of Task Forces - Guide to Best Practice

Overall requirement to evaluate the results of the work of Tyne & Wear and Luton & Bedfordshire Task Forces & disseminate the results into a guide of best practice.

The merits of establishing further joint police/fire service teams should be addressed.

Would provide guidance to local authorities contemplating establishing Task Forces in their area.

Sept ‘01

Ongoing

Consistency of approach means success in achieving goals on reducing crime (Aim 1) & would have corresponding benefits in reducing the overall number of fires (Aim 7).

Arson Prevention Bureau: National Standards for Fire Investigation & Training

Overall requirement to build upon the existing national standards for fire investigation & training. Current plans for standardised fire investigation qualifications (i.e. NVQ Forensic Science Level 4) need to be built upon.

Would provide impetus for extension of cross-service training courses for the police, forensic scientists & fire investigators

Dec ‘01

Ongoing

Cross-service training would lead to greater understanding of the investigation needs of other agencies and contribute to success in achieving goals on reducing crime (Aim 1) & would have corresponding benefits in reducing the overall number of fires (Aim 7).

Arson Prevention Programme: Development of Anti-fraud measures by insurers.

Extension of anti-fraud measures such as CUE & MIAFTR to cover insurance claims emanating from the commercial sector

More integrated approach to the sharing common information required for civil investigations.

Sept ’01

Ongoing

More open sharing of information means success in achieving goals on reducing crime (Aim 1) & would have corresponding benefits in reducing the overall number of fires (Aim 7).

Arson Prevention Programme: Development of the role of the Arson Prevention Bureau

The Bureau retains a crucial role in delivering certain aspects of the arson prevention programme such as: -

• Co-ordinating the research programme;
• Publicising the arson problem & initiatives to tackle it; and
• Working with the Forum to reach those who should be in receipt of arson prevention guidance.

These will need to be worked up into viable projects by the Bureau for consideration by the new ACF.

The Bureau will provide a vital cross-agency linkage with other agencies with an interest in arson prevention, particularly in the insurance sector and will in effect become the "operating arm" of the Forum under a service level agreement.

Sept ’01

Ongoing

Co-ordination of more effective anti-arson measures means success in achieving goals on reducing crime (Aim 1) & would have corresponding benefits in reducing the overall number of fires (Aim 7).