Reducing the risk of arson

Ensure you include the impact of arson in your workplace fire risk assessment. A large percentage of businesses fail to return to trading following a fire.

Top tips to help reduce the risk of arson

• When closing down your business adopt a thorough closedown procedure, taking the following into consideration:

1. External doors are locked.

2. Internal doors are closed.

3. No unauthorised persons are left on the premises.

4. No accumulation of waste or rubbish.

5. Alarms are switched on.

• Report accumulated or abandoned refuse to your local council. Don’t let it become a target for arson.

• Anti-social behaviour is often linked to arson. Report such behaviour through your local neighbourhood policing team, neighbourhood watch team or through Crimestoppers.

• Protect your commercial property. Seek advice on security, good lighting and CCTV will often act as a deterrent to the criminal.

• Take responsibility and think of ways in which someone could start a fire inside or outside your property. Act on any issues you find.

• Arson attacks on farms and small holdings do happen. Take simple precautions to reduce the likelihood of this happening. Lighting around barns and outbuildings will deter the opportunist thief and the would-be arsonist.

GN34 - Prevention Control of Arson in Industrial and Commercial Premises

Information for business owners or managers

Arson is always a threat, but one which you as a business owner or manager can control.

Please use the links below to help you reduce the chances of arson:

• Take responsibility!

• Check and check again!

• Be vigilant!

• How safe are you?