Avon Fire and Rescue has helped produce a DVD and teaching package which aims to reduce criminal damage, including the deliberate starting of fires, caused by young people.
Damage Done…It Doesn’t Just Happen was launched last week at a Vue cinema in Gloucester, and seeks to raise awareness of the common problems associated with such behaviour, and ties in with Key Sages 3-4 of the national curriculum citizenship programme aimed at 11-15 year olds.
Claimed to be the first project of its kind in the country, it aims to highlight the often unseen consequences that criminal damage has on people’s lives, and to promote closer working partnerships between the police and education authorities.
“Every year, a huge amount of time and resources are wasted, unnecessary injuries are caused and lives are put at risk by fires which are deliberately started,” said Robbie Roberts, group manager at Avon Fire & Rescue.
“Arson is a major aspect of anti-social behaviour and has a big impact on communities. Taking steps to reduce the number of fires started deliberately is a priority for every fire and rescue service. This resource is just one of the ways Avon Fire & Rescue Service is meeting those ongoing challenges, and I hope other fire and rescue services will follow our lead.”
According to the Home Office, the economic and social cost of criminal damage in England and Wales is in excess of GB pound 2.2bn a year. Nationally, criminal damage accounts for 27% of all crime according the British Crime Survey. But it is estimated that only 32% of criminal damage is reported to the police, indicating that the full extent of the problem may be greater.
