Archive Council News

17.11.06

Launch of Vehicle Arson Reduction Unit

A partnership between the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, North Wales Police, the Arson Reduction Team and the Community Safety Partnership has resulted in an innovative new initiative which challenges car owners to improve the security of their vehicles. The Unit also shows offenders the environmental, financial and social costs associated with their deliberate acts of arson.

The Vehicle Arson Reduction Unit will take the remains of a burnt out car on tour to various events and locations across North Wales in the coming months. The vehicle will be supported by banners with shock headlines to attract attention. The Unit will travel with the Impact Roadshow which is used to educate about road safety, seat belt safety and highlight the after effects of a road traffic collision.

Although vehicle crime in the area have been reduced in recent years there has been a notable increase in deliberate fires in the Wrexham area. The Unit will encourage car owners to take a look at the security of their vehicles. Everyone will be encouraged to report abandoned cars which attract vandals and ultimately become targets for arson attacks.

Phil Owen, County Safety Manager, said:

“Every year, 73,000 vehicles go up in flames. That equates to 200 vehicles every single day.

“65% of car fires are started deliberately – these deliberate fires can tie up life saving resources at critical times.

“Deliberate car fires are a growing problem in the area – there have been 113 incidents in Wrexham county alone since April 2006.

“By educating young people about the consequences of their actions, we are hoping to reduce the number of deliberate fires in the area by making all involved realise the true costs of arson.”

Malcolm Russell, Chair of the Community Safety Unit, said:

"This is yet another example of innovative work by Wrexham's Community Safety Partnership to improve the environment in which we all have to live and reduce vehicle arson."

The initiative has been funded by the Community Safety Partnership's Joint Action Group.