Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 08/03/2005 12:13

Car thieves intent on destroying forensic evidence, especially DNA, could be responsible for more than half of the cars deliberately set alight on our streets, according to Arson Control Forum research published today (8th March) by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
From analysing police and fire service data and from interviewing offenders involved in car crime, researchers from the Universities of Liverpool and Huddersfield showed that the link between car theft and arson is much stronger than previously thought.
Those vehicles not reported stolen are either abandoned on the street and burnt out by a third party (e.g. vandals) or have been burnt out by those dumping unwanted (usually untaxed, unregistered) vehicles in order to again destroy identifying evidence. The research indicates that the latter scenario is more common. As steel prices fell in the mid-1990s, increasing the costs of legal vehicle disposal it was easier for individuals to dispose of unwanted vehicles illegally.
Fire Safety Minister Phil Hope said the research shows police, councils and the fire & rescue service must work together to reduce the numbers of stolen or derelict vehicles being burned out on our streets:
“ I hope that all those involved in crime prevention and arson reduction at local and national level will be encouraged to work closely together, building on shared data and good practice, to tackle this blight on our communities. “
The report is based on research carried out between 1999 and 2002. Key changes since then include:

 Increased scrap metal prices
 A more stringent vehicle licensing and registration system
 The impact of Arson Control Forum vehicle arson reduction schemes and other local authority vehicle removal schemes.

As a result, the number of deliberate vehicle fires attended by the Fire and Rescue Service in England in the year ending March 2004 fell by 13% (down to 58,500).

In the South West over £1m from the Arson Control Forum Implementation Fund has been made available over the years 2003-2006 and contributed to this reduction. Other local authority schemes have also helped to bring down the numbers.
The research helps explain the sudden rise in vehicle fires in the late 1990s and the reasons for the subsequent reduction. It will be of interest to all involved in crime and fire prevention and can be used to anticipate future trends in vehicle arson. Copies of the report are available at www.arsoncontrolforum.gov.uk