Fire Committee calls on Mayor to set up Arson Task Group

The London Assembly Fire Committee has written to the Mayor of London, recommending that an Arson Task Group should be created to tackle a significant and sustained increase in arson offences. 

Data shows that all but four London Boroughs have seen an increase in arson incidents over the past three years.

The recommendations in the letter are:

• The Mayor should convene the London Fire Brigade, London Boroughs and the Metropolitan Police Service to create an ‘Arson Task Group’. This group should develop partnerships between organisations and assess emerging risks.  
• The Greater London Authority (GLA) should consolidate data and analysis on arson and work with London Boroughs to create heat maps for each borough, mapping where hot spots are for arson offences to help inform risk prevention work.