South Wales Fire and Rescue Service’s Fire Crime Unit becomes the Arson Reduction Team

On 11 October 2023, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service’s Fire Crime Unit changes its name to the Arson Reduction Team, in a move designed to reflect more of the prevention activities of the team, and to reduce the stigma attached to victims of fire crime – which is particularly and primarily reflected in the crime of arson.

The main aim of the Arson Reduction Team involves working to reduce deliberate fire setting in the community, while promoting public safety and partnership working, as Arson Reduction Practitioners work alongside the 10 Unitary Authorities we serve in South Wales.

Arson Reduction Team activities include:

1 / Patrols

The use of high visibility patrols in the community are designed to deter those considering committing an act of arson or anti-social behaviour. The patrols also provide advice and reassurance to communities where there are concerns about arson.

2 / Arson vulnerability assessments

Vacant properties can provide opportunities for illegal activities and trespassing. Although empty and often in a neglected state, they can still pose a risk to the area they are located, especially if they are filled with discarded canisters. The Arson Reduction Team will submit an arson vulnerability assessment following a fire at a site or property, or after a routine survey of the area. Our staff will identify issues which can affect firefighting safety, and pass their intel back to our Fire Control.

3 / Target hardening

There is a distinct link between arson attacks and domestic violence. The Arson Reduction Team works closely with the Police and Local Authority to ensure victims feel safer in their own homes. This may include the installation of letterbox blanking plates, additional smoke alarms, and assistance, if required, in creating a ‘safe room’. We also attend Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARACs) which allow our Arson Reduction Practitioners to make arrangements to visit a property when an urgent case of domestic violence is identified. There is also a referral process.

4 / Seasonal activities

During “wildfire season” and “Operation Bang”, which occurs annually from Halloween to Bonfire night, the Arson Reduction Team works closely with partners on community engagement events and activities to share important safety messages, or in setting up patrols or diversionary activities within the community to educate the public. During these periods we often see an increase in deliberate fires, such as refuse fires, bonfires, and setting fires to our mountains and grassland.

Station Manager Arson Reduction Team Manager, Mike Hill, said:

“Although this is only a name change, this is more representative of the preventative and reactive activities of the Arson Reduction Team. If we have someone referred to the team who is subject to domestic violence, it’s much less stigmatising for them if one of our team attends in an Arson Reduction Team branded vehicle rather than a Fire Crime vehicle, where they may be unfairly labelled as the perpetrator. This name change will also bring our Service into line with the other two Welsh Fire and Rescue Services, which makes it easier to interact with all our partners, especially those who work across borders.”

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service Stations also operate as ‘Safe Havens’, where anyone who is in immediate danger can head to one of our stations to access help.