Hampshire Arson Task Force
| Published: 9th March 2008 16:06 |
A joint police and fire service initiative aimed at preventing and convicting deliberate fire setters, has secured further funding after a successful pilot year.
Nearly twelve months after the Hampshire Arson Task Force was established, the unit is having a dramatic impact on the conviction and arrest rate for arson offences.
The ATF is a joint venture between Hampshire Constabulary and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS), providing specialist support and guidance to fire and police colleagues involved in the investigation of deliberate and serious fires across the county.
Between April 2, 2007 and January 25, 2008, the Arson Task Force assisted with 124 investigations and deployed to 69 of them.
Of the 131 incidents they contributed to - 39 per cent resulted in the arrest of suspects and 15 per cent in a conviction/detection.
Of the 69 incidents the ATF deployed to - 40 resulted in arrests being made (58%) and of those resulting in an arrest, 16 led to a detection (23%).
Although information and intelligence has traditionally been shared between both organisations, the establishment of the unit has led to more effective communication and joined-up working.
The team are based at fire and rescue service HQ in Eastleigh and can be deployed anywhere in Hampshire to coordinate a thorough investigative response at fire scenes, and offer assistance throughout the investigation process.
Hampshire's Arson Task Force consists of Hampshire Constabulary DC, Mark Leonard, and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Watch Manager Graham Howlett.
Hampshire Constabulary Chief Constable, Paul Kernaghan, said: "I am delighted that in its first year the Arson Task Force has so clearly shown its ability to both help investigate arson offences, and bring to justice those responsible.
"The tangible benefits to arson enquiries and the effectiveness of their joint working during the pilot year stands the ATF in very good stead for the future. "The continued work of the ATF also underlines our shared commitment to maintaining Hampshire's reputation as a safe place to live."
Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Chief Officer, John Bonney, said: "Arson is the single largest cause of fire in the UK and costs society billions of pounds every year.
"Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and Hampshire Constabulary established the Arson Task Force as a partnership showing our commitment to tackling and bringing to justice those who deliberately set fires.
"Now a year old, the Arson Task Force has already shown positive benefits in terms of arson reduction, arson detection and conviction rates.
"We are particularly pleased with these results, as arson is a notoriously difficult crime to investigate and secure convictions. The team represent a very tangible example of how, with Police and Fire working together we can make a real difference and reduce this most damaging and potentially lethal crime.
"As a result we have secured further funding for the Arson Task Force and aim to see a 20 % reduction in the number of deliberately set fires by 2010."
What do the Arson Task Force do?
DC Mark Leonard's role involves reviewing and supporting the investigation of serious and life endangering fires by linking in with CID and Major Crime teams across the force.
Mark identifies emerging patterns and trends, and pinpoints potential offenders through intelligence-gathering. He also advises police colleagues on appropriate lines of enquiry and assists with fire scene examinations.
HFRS Watch Manager, Graham Howlett is responsible for the operation, promotion, and daily management of the ATF, assisting HFRS Fire Investigators and the constabulary's Crime Scene Investigators with the investigation of suspicious fires.
Graham has a secondary role as dog handler to Saxon, who has been trained to detect hydrocarbon ignitable liquids at fire scenes.
The Task Force are assisted by the HFRS Fire and Arson Support Unit, who engage with local communities by issuing witness appeal posters to residents and businesses, and displaying witness appeal boards.
Alongside the additional funding from both the police and fire service, HFRS have also purchased a new Arson Task Force dog van, and employed a dedicated ATF administrator and intelligence analyst to link in with police analysts.
ATF Case Study
At 9.40pm on July 19 last year, Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service received several calls about a fire in a residential property in Nutwick Road, Havant.
On arrival crews found a fully developed fire in one of the bedrooms on the first floor and evidence of smaller seats of fire in the lounge. Witnesses reported seeing a youth enter the property via a window shortly before the fire started. Enquiries by police helped identify the suspect, and he was arrested.
With initial enquiries pointing to the fire being a deliberate act, an HFRS Fire Investigator and the Arson Task Force were deployed, and a joint agency fire scene examination followed involving police, fire, and the Forensic Science Service.
DC Leonard and the crew of the Fire & Arson Support Unit conducted enquiries to locate witnesses and sources of CCTV. ATF Watch Manager Graham Howlett deployed ‘Saxon' the Fire Investigation Search Dog on a search of the area to locate any discarded containers which may have been used to transport flammable liquids to or from the crime scene.
DC Leonard liaised between CID and fire scene investigators, also providing his CID colleagues with a Preliminary Fire investigation report, allowing them to obtain pre-charge advice from the Crown Prosecution Service whilst the suspect was in custody, rather than releasing him on bail.
Post incident, the ATF gathered further evidence by obtaining statements from members of the attending fire crews, the full fire investigation report, evidential audio tapes of 999 calls, and the fire incident log.
The youth later entered a guilty plea and having spent six months in custody while on remand, was sentenced to an 18 month Community Service Order.
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