Arson in Schools 

There are hundreds of arson attacks on schools each year and incredibly a third of these happen during normal school hours.  Typically carried out by either a pupil or ex-pupils who live in the local area, these attacks are often opportunistic.  Schools can protect themselves against the threat of arson with a few simple techniques which does not necessarily mean expensive alarm systems or hours of detailed risk assessment.

 

Nationally arson attacks on school property are very costly. In 2001, in terms of insurance alone, arson attacks cost £65 million. If we also take into account disruption and inconvenience factors then the real cost approaches £115 million.

These costs do not include the impact an arson attack has on:

• the pupils who may lose valuable course work
• the staff who may lose many years worth of teaching material

The Arson Prevention Bureau leaflet 'How to Combat Arson in Schools' gives some practical advice for schools as to how to make themselves less of a target.

Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service are the first in the country to run the 'Building Bulletin 100 Design for Fire Safety in Schools' Risk Assessment Toolkit. The three Local Authority Health and Safety teams assisted with the completion of the BB100 toolkit assessments for all existing Local Authority schools.

For further information on the BB100 toolkit please visit 'Building Bulletin 100 Design for Fire Safety in Schools' Risk Assessment Toolkit Exercise.