Deliberately lit fires cause millions of dollars worth of damage to homes, schools and businesses each year. The Fire Service is working with Police and other government and community agencies on a joint response to this threat to communities.
Today (Wednesday 18 November) the Fire Service is hosting the first National Arson Reduction Forum in Wellington to promote improved coordination and collaboration on arson reduction initiatives in communities. Those attending include representatives from Police, Fire, Ministry of Education, insurers, psychologists and others
Issues to be discussed included domestic arson fraud, the costs of arson, improved intelligence systems and how to work together to prevent, and catch, those who deliberately light fires.
Fire Service Manager of Fire Investigation and Arson Reduction, Peter Wilding, says "New Zealand leads the world in terms of its work with child firelighters. However our national arson statistics show there's still a lot of work to do".
Each year, police investigate more than 2,000 arson offences (2654 in 2008) three quarters of which are carried out by young people under the age of 21. Around six per cent of all structure fires are started by arsonists. Around quarter of a billion dollars worth of property has been lost to arson in New Zealand over the past seven years
Peter Wilding has researched arson reduction efforts internationally and says "There is overwhelming evidence that the most effective arson reduction projects occur when government agencies, businesses and communities work together".
Some of the arson reduction methods to be promoted at the forum will include new data analysis techniques, cutting-edge arson detection equipment, collaborative working agreements with the Police and the NZ Insurance Council, and web based "toolkits" to provide guidance for reducing and dealing with arson.
"It's vital that we work with other agencies at scenes, share gathered intelligence, utilise the advantages of new technology and promote joint training to ensure New Zealand communities are made as safe as possible from arson,” he says.
Contact Peter Wilding 0274400188
Senior media advisor
Karlum Lattimore 04 4963702 or 0275918837