Why do some people commit arson Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Why do some people commit arson - Essay Example In the United Kingdom too, many cases of arson has recently been reported. Arson is not only legal crime but also hindrance for good governance. Arson occurs in both organised and individual forms. Some cases of collective arson are spontaneous and committed by loosely attached groups. On the other hand, there are cases of arson which involved well organised and strongly co-ordinated groups. Arson could also be either purposeful or purposeless. In other words, arson is essentially heterogeneous, i.e. there are many types of arson. And, different types of people involve in the crime of arson for different reasons. Arson has been identified as a threat to businesses in Britain, especially the insurance sector. Commercial buildings, school property and community assets in the United Kingdom are easily being prey to arsonists. It is also detrimental for the free growth of schools and communities. Also, the high human cost of deliberate firesetting is arming. Annually, there are nearly 10 0 deaths and 2,500 injuries caused by arson (Arson Control Forum, 2006). Moreover, it adds an extra burden on the emergency services and thereby putting an extra weight on the taxpayers. Who is Affected? Businesses Schools Communities Innocent Individuals Emergency Services Nature Defining Arson Arson is a difficult term to define. It is noted that â€Å"the confusion about the true extent of arson has been compounded by the different terminologies used to describe arson, terms that are not commonly understood by all stakeholders. The Fire Data Report (FDR1) form used to record primary fires attended by UK Fire and Rescue Services, had three categories which, when combined, made up the arson measure – deliberate, doubtful and malicious. The lack of a commonly understood terminology meant that local agencies with which the Fire and Rescue Service could potentially work in partnership did not always fully appreciate the extent of illegal firesetting and thus did not dedicate s ufficient resources to address the problem† (Arson Control Forum, 2006, p.12). Arson is even different for various agencies which are in place to deal with issues related deliberate firelighting. The practices of recording, measurement and terminology used with relations to arson might vary from agency to agency. The general lack of common measure of arson has led widespread disparities between multiple agencies. From 2000 onwards, legally, the terms such as ‘malicious’ and ‘doubtful’ have paved way for the more accurate term ‘deliberate’ regarding arson. Types of Arson Vandalism Fraudulent arson Arson as Cover-up of Crime Revenge Mental Illness Youth Disorder Arson as Attack on People and Property Arson is one of the alarming problems the contemporary British society faces on. It is the predominant cause behind the fire in the business premises. Most of the major fires that occurred in the last fifty years are a result of arson, the rate would be around 45%. Rarely, a business thrives after an attack of arson as it results huge losses. Opportunist vandalism is the main form of arson prevalent in the United Kingdom. Increasingly, the number of arson attacks on schools too has become so common in the United Kingdom. According to Arson Prevention Bureau, there are on the average twenty arson attacks on schools. Arson Control Forum has observed that â€Å"those living in socially deprived areas are the most likely to be the victims of fire, whether accidental fires or deliberately set† (2003, p.9). The Extent of Arson as a Societal Problem About one in two fires from Arson Common cause of fire in business premises Loss of school records and