Arson is a complex and serious crime and carries the maximum punishment of a life sentence. Arson frequently results in loss of life, serious injuries, financial loss and environmental damage. Persistent minor arson also sets a strongly detrimental and visually harmful tone to deprived communities.
Arson is the largest single cause of major fires in the United Kingdom currently costing an estimated £2.2 Billion a year, which equates to £44 million every week. This causes loss of life, hardship, injury and distress to all victims of arson and arson related incidents. So it makes sense to protect people and prevent such fires from happening in the first place. This is the philosophy behind much of the work of the Arson Task Force (ATF).
The ATF is a partnership between Cleveland Fire Brigade and Cleveland Police. The team has been up and running in its current format since October 2003.
The majority of work carried out by the team involves the investigation and prevention of arson incidents. This can only be done through the formation of essential partnerships and close working relationship with the Crime & Disorder Partnerships & Local Authorities within each of the 4 districts the Brigade covers.
Arson Reduction Manager Lol Craven leads the prevention role within the Department and is assisted by Tony Goodings, Rebecca Barratt and Gary Mason. Their main aim is to restrict the amount of fuel available to the opportunist arsonist, such as securing void and derelict properties, the prompt removal of derelict or abandoned vehicles and removal or securing of refuse.
If you wish to report an abandoned vehicle, insecure derelict building,
fly tipping or any other arson risk, please email or telephone
For any help or advice on anything featured in these pages, or any
other matter, please contact the team at Fire Brigade Head Quarters on
01429 872311 (Extension 4122) or email
