Schools in Greater London are today being urged to do more to combat the risk of suffering an arson attack. Schools in the region are among the most vulnerable in the country, with 2 schools hit by arsonists every week. Each year there are over 100 attacks in the region – 10% of the national total.

The extent of the problem, and how schools can reduce the risk, was revealed today, Wednesday 19 January, at a seminar held by the Arson Prevention Bureau. The seminar, sponsored by BT RedCARE and Zurich Municipal, was attended by over 150 representatives from education authorities, school governors and head teachers throughout the region. Speakers included the police, fire service, the main insurer of schools and the head teacher of a school that has suffered an attack.

An arson attack can be devastating, causing widespread damage and considerable disruption to pupils’ education. A deliberately started fire in a rubbish bin at a school in Oxted, Surrey, destroyed 80% of the school and caused damage of £4.4 million.

Other arson attacks in the region have included:

• Changing rooms at a North London school were set alight resulting in damage of £270,000;
• A South London school was attacked by an arsonist who caused damage costing £110,000;
• An Essex school suffered damage costing £350,000 following a deliberately started fire.

To help schools the Arson Prevention Bureau is making available a free booklet How to Combat Arson in Schools to every school in London and the South-East.

Larry Stokes, chairman of the Arson Working Group, which drew up the guidance said:

“No school can afford to underestimate the arson risk. With every school a potential target, reducing the risk presents a major challenge for local education authorities. It is not just the considerable property damage and financial loss – these attacks invariably severely disrupt pupils education, often at a critical time. The morale and performance of the school may also suffer for many years as a result. Our guidance provides local authorities and schools with much needed help to enable them to tackle the problem more effectively.”

Notes

1. Attached is a copy of the seminar programme.
   
   
2. Single copies of How to Combat Arson in Schools is available on request
   
   
3. Measures which schools can take to reduce the arson risk include:
   • Deterring unauthorised entry through measures such as adequate fences and security lighting.
   • Preventing intruders entering buildings by ensuring that doors and windows are secure.
   • Installing monitored alarms so that intruders can be detected immediately.
   • Reducing the scope for fire damage by measures such as ensuring combustible material is not left to accumulate.
   
   
   
4. Enquiries to:
   

   Malcolm Tarling    020 7216 7410   (Mobile: 07776 147667)
   

5. An ISDN line is available for broadcasts.