The Arson Reduction Team work to reduce arson by following a three pronged strategy.
- Environmental Interventions: aimed at removing the opportunity for arson through removal of potential targets and target-hardening initiatives.
- Investigation/Detection-based Interventions: aimed at assisting the police in the investigation of arsons and in the detection and successful conviction of offenders.
- Educational Interventions: aimed at educating offenders and potential offenders to remove or prevent development of the motivation for engaging in fire setting behaviour.
Environmental Interventions
Environmental Action Days (EADs)
These are multi agency initiatives involving teams of people to carry out a sweep over designated areas to identify, process and where necessary remove abandoned or unlicensed vehicles, to remove rubbish and deal with any offences revealed. Each team has a representative from the Fire Service, Police, DVLA, Council waste management teams and if appropriate other departments are invited to help such as Trading Standards, and Housing.
EADs demonstrate that the partners represented can work together to improve the environment, reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, improve public safety, provide reassurance for the people living in that area and improve their confidence in the ability of the partners to deal with issues that cause them concern.
Investigation/Detection-based Interventions
- Links with partners to facilitate detection, identification
- Information exchange between different organisations
- Facilitate the installation of CCTV
- Quick strike (after incidence response to advice the local community)
Educational Interventions
The ATF works closely with the Service's Youth Development Officer to engage young people in youth development. The different interventions include:
- Targeted school visits
- Workshops at local Youth Club’s
- Theatre in Education
- Safety Squad
- Citizenship Days
- Young Offender Intervention Programmes
For further information on current youth development carried out by Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service please click the link below:
Children and Young People