Arson (Hansard, 19 May 1999)

§ Lord Williams of Mostyn

As part of the Government's commitment to delivering safer communities, the Home Office is publishing today the outcome of a study undertaken to review arrangements for tackling arson. Copies of the report have been placed in the Library.

The report, Safer Communities—Towards Effective Arson Control, was commissioned because of concern that the number of arson fires had grown considerably in recent years, while prosecutions and cautions for the offence had fallen. The outcome of the study has shown that, although some local examples of good practice exist, much more needs to be done to tackle deliberately started fires. We want this report to mark the first step in the process to rectify that situation.

The report makes 22 recommendations for putting in place more effective arson control arrangements.

A great deal of emphasis in the study is placed on greater liaison and co-operation, so we want to hear the views of all those who can contribute to tackling arson. We will, therefore, be consulting a wide range of interested parties over the next few months on how to take these proposals forward.