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Car Fires
- Driving arson off the road
Most common target
Vehicle arson is the single most common type of arson, accounting for 71% of all deliberate car fires in the UK. There were 34,400 deliberate car fires in 2006.
Break the chain of crime
The vast majority of car fires are started deliberately to cover up other criminal activity, or as an act of vandalism. A car that is a target for crime is a target for arson.
A number of successful initiatives have been implemented across the UK to tackle this problem. Car clearance schemes aim to remove abandoned vehicles from the road within hours of being reported, so as to prevent arson. Other initiatives track the vehicles from site of arson to where they were stolen and target security in that location. Advances in DNA recovery techniques now mean arson does not destroy evidence.
Be aware and be safe
Awareness is the key to combating vehicle arson. The APB leaflet on tackling car fires gives practical advice to motorists on how to protect yourselves and your vehicle. Security and arson prevention go hand in hand in such a high-volume crime. This is an area where Fire Service, Police and Local Authorities have demonstrated that co-operation is highly effective. But the onus is still on the motorist to protect your own vehicle.
The public should report any abandoned vehicles immediately. Car fires endanger lives, destroy property and impact on the environment.
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Advice and information
 APB Car Fires leaflet
The APB have a leaflet available to download for free giving practical advice on how to prevent car fires.
 Vehicle Arson research
ODPM have produced a research report on the rise of vehicle arson and successful initiatives to tackle it.
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