South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue has taken active steps to be a significant contributor to improve community well-being by joining with partners to address Crime and Disorder in South Yorkshire.  A significant element in this consideration is the reduction of arson.

One important project in our arson reduction strategy is the establishment of an Arson Intervention Team (AIT).  The project is overseen by the Local Community Safety Partnerships, a partnership of local agencies who are actively committed to improving community safety and reducing crime.

The team's main aims, which are designed to produce a measurable reduction in the proportion and scale of arson within the area, are:-

• To develop effective practices and make recommendations that will reduce the potential of any members of the community becoming arson victims.
• To be pro-active in all we do to educate, inform and raise awareness of those at risk from deliberate fire setting.
  Liaise with all stakeholders to identify those being at risk.
• In the event of arson occurring we will, where necessary with joint expertise, investigate and collate evidence to accurately pinpoint the cause and identify those responsible.
• Our policy will be to deter the act of arson by seeking prosecutions through the criminal justice system.

In partnership with other organisations the AIT will address arson issues by employing both short and long term initiatives.