Fire service expected to do more about arson

The Wales Audit Office has declared that the South Wales Fire Service needs to consider doing more in order to prevent arson in the region.

This recommendation comes from the comprehensive audit and inspection service which covers an expansive range of public services.

The Auditor General for Wales has challenged the fire service to reduce the number of fires in the region that are set alight on purpose. At the moment this accounts for around four out of five blazes.

Auditor Huw Vaughan Thomas did admit that the fire authority is “well managed” but the report still emphasised the need to bring down the arson rate, which has now become the highest in the country.

He said: “The authority is very conscious of the challenge and its arson reduction team is delivering a number of initiatives with some success.”

Arson is something which needs to be considered by businesses everywhere and not just in this part of Wales. Malicious fires are a big threat to organisations in all sectors and so it is necessary for them to protect their premises by installing the latest fire safety and security measures as a safeguard. Fire training for staff is another important consideration.