Arson attacks in the county are soaring
525 cases of arson recorded by the police in 12 months
ARSON attacks have soared across Leicestershire to their highest levels in nearly a decade, as experts warn fire services “are not properly prepared” to deal with the increase.
Analysis of the latest crime data has revealed that there were 525 cases of arson recorded by police in our area in the 12 months to June 2019.
That included 87 serious cases where someone’s life was put in danger by the blaze. The total number of arson cases has increased by 56% in just a year, rising from 337 in the 12 months to June 2018.
It’s the highest number of arson attacks seen in Leicestershire since 2009/10.
In particular, Harborough has seen arson attacks more than double in the last year.
Everywhere in the county has also seen an increase, however.
Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: “Arson endangers the lives of firefighters and members of the public, and can damage or destroy homes and businesses.
“The number of firefighters has been slashed, making the spike in deliberately-caused incidents, which use up scarce time and resources, all the more troubling.
“Facing years of devastating cuts, prevention and education work are often the first things a fire service seeks to cut, which could contribute to an increase in arson attacks.
“With fewer firefighters and fewer resources, crews are not properly prepared to deal with an increase like this. We need urgent investment in our fire and rescue service.”
The increase comes at a time when fire brigades across Britain have been struggling to cope with austerity cuts.
Since 2010, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service have lost one in every three of their firefighters.
There are currently the equivalent of 470 full time firefighters employed by the service – down from 483 in 2018, and 690 in 2010.
It means Leicestershire fire service has fewer firefighters than at any other time in the last 18 years.
Across England and Wales, there were 27,472 cases of arson recorded by police in the 12 months to June 2019 – including 4,171 serious cases that endangered lives.
The total number is up from 25,555 cases the year before, and is the highest number recorded in the last eight years.
The figures are of crimes recorded by the police – meaning that any increase may partly be due to better recording of figures as well as a genuine increase in crime.
At the same time, the number of full time firefighters in England dropped from 32,245 in 2018 to 32,233 last year.
That’s a cut of 23% from 41,639 firefighters in 2010, and the lowest number seen on recent record.