It is estimated that children start approximately one in every four fires in London. London Fire Brigade’s juvenile firesetters intervention scheme aims to tackle this issue as part of our overall strategy to reduce arson.

Children and young people start to play with fire for various reasons, ranging from natural curiosity to attention-seeking. Without help and guidance, fire setting behaviour can increase and lead to more serious consequences such as serious personal injury and damage to homes, schools and property. But the scheme is designed to address fire setting behaviour amongst children and young people aged up to and including 17 years.

A specialist team of advisors are trained to deal with children and young people who have demonstrated a fascination with fire. Since the scheme started in 2001, the Brigade’s skilled advisors have visited over 700 young people in their homes.

The scheme offers education and advice for both children and young people and their parents and guardians. Now, after a successful three years of operation, the Brigade’s Juvenile Fire Setters Intervention Scheme (JFIS) is looking to expand.

London Fire Services can arrange for our advisors to come and meet with the child or young person and their parents either in the home or other location. The number of visits we make and the precise way in which we deal with the child or young person will vary depending on the circumstances and problems involved.

The scheme only deals with fire-setting behaviour of children or young people. All advisors are employed by the LFEPA and are fully trained volunteers to the scheme. The advisors include firefighters and administrative staff.

The Arson Task Force

The Arson Task Force is funded by the Department for Communities through the Arson Control Forum which brings together the Fire and Rescue Service, police and and government departments,to reduce arson-related deaths, injuries and damage. Our aim is to reduce the number of non-accidental fires in the top 60 wards in London, and to reduce the number of deliberate fires by 10 per cent by March 2010

Fire Related Crime

Fire-related crime - arson and malicious false alarms - affects you and your local community. It puts you at risk and costs you money. Burnt out abandoned cars and boarded up properties are becoming an increasingly regular sight on London’s streets. And tragically, arson is a contributory factor to the cause of about 13 deaths a year in the capital and a significant number of injuries. Hoax calls also put you at risk by sending fire engines and firefighters to incidents which don’t exist.