New figures released today by Zurich Municipal, the UK's leading education insurer and risk management provider, show that school fires cost an estimated £67 million in 2005 - a £16 million reduction from the previous year. However, early indications show that this is not the start of a downward trend. In March this year alone, school fires cost an estimated £22 million, compared to a monthly average of £5.5 million last year.
With around 75% of school fires being started deliberately, arson continues to be a serious issue for schools and fire services. The majority of arsonists are aged between 10 and 19 years of age, so tackling the grass root problem of school fire involves educating school-aged children about the dangers of deliberate fire setting. Related costs incurred as a result of school fires have increased by nearly 37% over the last 10 years.
Larry Stokes, Underwriting Manager at Zurich Municipal and Chair of the Arson Prevention Bureau's Schools Working Group, commented: "It is encouraging that the cost of school fires has decreased over the last year. However, arson continues to be a severe problem and costly both financially and in ways that cannot be quantified; classes are disrupted, exam work is lost and lives are put in danger. With three schools suffering from arson attacks every day, we cannot afford to be complacent and must continue to put measures in place to tackle the problem."
Last year's drop in the cost of school fires coincided with the launch of Zurich Municipal's Arson Combated Together (ACT) Fire Service Tool Kit. It is a practical educational aid designed to raise awareness of the problem of arson amongst pupils and teachers. The kit is available free of charge to fire services throughout the UK and in January 74% of services surveyed were already using the kit, or planning to use it, with children at local schools.
Larry continued: "Our research shows that after completing ACT workshops, pupils show a clear change in attitude and accept that they have a responsibility in helping to prevent arson."
Throughout May, Zurich Municipal is running a series of free workshops for Fire and Rescue Services to share best practice in arson education and discuss the steps required to develop anti-arson programmes for schools.
A regional breakdown for the cost of school fires in 2005 is as follows:
London/ South East 37%
Midlands 17%
North 12%
North West 12%
Scotland 9%
East Anglia 4%
Wales/ South West 6%
North East 3%
For further information please contact Louise.naqvi@uk.zurich.com
Notes to Editors:
NATIONAL COST OF FIRE IN SCHOOLS:
1995 £49,000,000
1996 £55,000,000
1997 £51,000,000
1998 £45,000,000
1999 £42,000,000
2000 £65,000,000
2001 £93,000,000
2002 £96,600,000
2003 £73,400,000
2004 £83,000,000
2005 £67,000,000
· A comparison with previous year's figures is as follows:
2005 2004 2003
London, SE & East Anglia 41% 13% 12%
(combined)
Midlands 17% 57% 23%
North & North East 15% 9% 26%
(combined)
North West 12% 12% 13%
Scotland 9% 4% 20%
Wales & South West 6% 5% 6%
· The one-day Arson Combated Together workshops are free to fire services. They are being held at the dates below. To attend email ACT@dbda.co.uk or telephone 0870 010 4443 detailing the event you wish to attend, full name, title and fire service, contact telephone number and email address.
o 9th May - Nottingham Fire & Rescue Service Headquarters
o 11th May - Tyne and Wear Fire & Rescue Service
o 12th May - London Fire Brigade Training Centre
· The ACT Toolkit is available electronically on the Zurich Municipal website; http://www.zurich.co.uk/Municipal/ToolsAndTips/SchoolArsonInitiative.htm
· Zurich Municipal is the leading provider of risk and insurance solutions to Britain's public services. The company employs nearly 600 staff dedicated to providing expert advice and support to public service providers. For information visit www.zurichmunicipal.com and there is a newsroom function at www.zurich.co.uk/Municipal/ZMHome/Newsroom/Introduction.htm.
· Zurich Municipal is part of Zurich Financial Services, an insurance-based financial services provider with a global network of subsidiaries and offices in North America and Europe as well as in Asia Pacific, Latin America and other markets. Founded in 1872, the Group is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. It employs approximately 55,000 people serving customers in more than 120 countries.
· Zurich is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
