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Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

Answer

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many malicious car fires occurred in (a) 2000, (b) 2001 and (c) 2002; and if he will make a statement. [117896] Mr. Raynsford: In 2000 there were 62,964 malicious car fires in the UK (from a total of 82,002 car fires). In 2001 there were 70,107 such fires (from a total of 88,242 car fires). Data are not yet available for 2002. Malicious fires are those where malicious or deliberate ignition was proved or suspected. Arson is one of the major fire threats facing us today. That is why in 1998 the Government commissioned a study into the arrangements for dealing with the problem of deliberate fire-setting. The study reported in 1999 and made a number of far-reaching recommendations; the most significant of which was the creation of the Government-led Arson Control Forum to provide the strategic direction to the national fight against arson. The Forum was launched in April 2001. The Forum is now taking forward a programme of preventative measures that address arson in its many guises. The Forum continues to fund a number of locally based arson control initiatives and has issued guidance on a variety of arson related subjects. Car fires comprise a considerable element of the deliberate fires problem and Government have taken a number of steps to address this. New powers will enable local authorities to remove unlicensed vehicles more quickly and tighten vehicle registration procedures. Also, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is looking at ways to improve the links between the Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and local councils to make it easier to trace the owners of derelict or abandoned vehicles.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

117896; 406 c733W

Session

2002-03

Subjects

Crime prevention Cars Arson Finance Fires Local government Motor vehicles Powers Arson Control Forum

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk