To consider a presentation reviewing MFRA’s involvement in tackling crime.

Members were provided with a presentation by Station Manager Ian Mullin from the Incident Investigation Team, highlighting how MFRA are contributing to tackling crime within Merseyside.

Members were informed that the Incident Investigation Team (IIT) consists of 4 officers; and that they are part of a wider team, working together to drive down deliberate fires. They were informed that the aim of the team, is to provide excellent prevention and protection by “working with our partners and our communities to protect the most vulnerable through targeted local risk reduction interventions and the robust application of our legal powers”. This involves using local interventions to stop fire being used as a weapon.

Members were informed that the IIT work very closely with the Police; and produce detailed fire investigation reports. They were advised that IIT officers are also classed as expert witnesses and have a great deal of influence in court. This has led to a number of early guilty pleas, resulting in significant savings with regards to court costs.

The presentation highlighted that fires are started deliberately for a number of reasons, however they tend to fall into one of the following broad categories: domestic abuse, serious and organised crime, mental health and wellbeing, deliberate fire setting, child/ juvenile fire setting.

Members were advised that the presentation would take them through a couple of case studies, each of which fall into one of the categories outlined above.

The first case study highlighted to Members, was around domestic abuse. Members were informed that the IIT attend all incidents where it is suspected that domestic abuse is involved. Members were shown a series of pictures of the scene of the incident, which showed a bed which had been set on fire, a smoke alarm which had been removed, abusive writing painted on the walls of the property, a kitchen knife, which had been used to slash the couch and a roll of tape. Members were informed that there was lots of information and clear evidence of domestic abuse at the property.

Members were advised that the outcome of this investigation resulted in the ex-partner of the occupier being imprisoned for 2 years and 4 months.

The second case study within the presentation, was around serious and organised crime. Members were informed that a substantial amount of money has been provided to tackle serious and organised crime, which is a big problem across Merseyside, with fire often being used as a weapon.

With regards to the case study, Members were informed that crews had initially responded to a vehicle on fire on a field within the Everton ward, late one evening. They discovered a badly burnt body in the rear of the vehicle. An IIT Officer was requested to attend; and Merseyside Police launched a murder investigation. Specialist equipment was used to detect accelerants; and it was found that petrol had been used. Members were informed that this was a particularly complex case, with IIT also attending two additional addresses, to assist in forensic recovery. One of which was the scene of the murder; and the other being the scene of torture.

Members were advised that the individual who had been murdered was involved in an organised crime group and had been sent to collect drugs. The drugs had been seized, however other members of the group did not believe this to be the case. Therefore, the individual was taken to a container and tortured, before being taken to another address and being murdered. Another vehicle was used to transport the body, which was also searched for forensic evidence. The body was then placed in the vehicle and set alight.

Members were informed that this case was particularly complex; and involved an extensive number of detailed reports being produced for the Police. They were informed that the outcome of this, was that 2 individuals were convicted of murder and each received a 27 year sentence. 2 individuals were convicted of manslaughter and received a 22 year sentence each; and 1 further individual was convicted of assisting an offender; and received a 6 year sentence.

The next case study highlighted to Members was around mental ill health. Members were informed that the fire service were called to a caravan on fire. However on arrival, it was established that the fire actually involved a person and petrol in the rear garden of the property. The incident was captured on CCTV and was particularly graphic, with the individual pouring petrol over themselves, before setting themselves alight; and taking their own life.

Members were advised that the incident was a tragic case, which links back to organised crime, as the individual was a cannabis user, who had got into debt with money lenders, to fund his drug habit.

A further case study presented to Members – “Operation Milna” was around deliberate fire setting, which highlighted the effectiveness of partnership working between MFRA and Merseyside Police. Members were advised that there was a prolific arsonist operating within the Wavertree area; and the frequency of incidents was increasing and consuming lots of resources. Over 100 bin fires were attended, which led to an increase in Police patrols and MFRS assurance visits. Members were informed that incidents started to move into the Liverpool City Centre area; and where becoming increasingly dangerous.

Members were advised that as part of the investigations, CCTV footage from local premises, was interrogated. Images captured, showed the offender present before, during and following several fires in Liverpool City Centre, involving bins in buildings and an Apart-hotel. The footage obtained also showed the individual directing crews to one of the fires he had started. Members were informed that the outcome of “Operation Milna” was that the individual was imprisoned for 10 years, with an extended sentence of a further 5 years, after it was ruled that he represents a danger to the public.

Members were advised that another category that deliberate fires tend to fall into, is child/ juvenile fire setting; and that such behaviour can be due to several reasons, such as a cry for help, curiosity, a coping mechanism, or due to adverse childhood experiences.

Members were informed that when such individuals are identified, trained staff will work with them and their parents or guardians, providing the SAFE (Safety Advice and Fire Education) programme, to educate them. Members were advised that it is important to work with the responsible adults as well as the child to ensure the safety of the property, as children are often copying behaviour from them, for example lighter usage.

Members were provided with an example of this type of incident, where a 6 year old child had started a fire in their bedroom. When investigating, a lighter was found under the child’s pillow. Members were informed that this was an example of adverse childhood experience, as it became apparent that the property was known to the Police, as the previous year, the door of the property had been shot off, by individuals who were after the older son.

Members were advised that as part of the SAFE programme, a game is utilised with the young person, to show the number of fire appliances within their area; and highlight what may happen if one of their relatives was involved in a fire or RTC when the closest appliance was tied up dealing with a fire that they had started. They were advised that the aim is to try to tackle this issue early to try to prevent the behaviour from escalating.

Further information was provided to Members around our target hardening measures, which aim to prevent fire being used as a weapon.

Members were informed of an incident within the Bootle area, at the property of a women who lived there with her 5 children. The women had received threats from her next door neighbour; and as a result, MFRS attended and fitted a letterbox bag.

10 days later, petrol was poured through the letterbox and set alight. The letterbox bag prevented the fire and ultimately saved lives.

The presentation then highlighted to Members, the impact that this work has had on the community. They were informed that vehicle fires had reduced by 21% on the previous year, and a 33% reduction was observed in deliberate fires in occupied premises. They were further advised that this downward trend has continued into Quarter 1 of 2019/20; and that out of the 91 investigations carried out by the IIT during this Quarter, 55% were found to be deliberate ignitions.

The presentation also highlighted that as a result of IIT investigations, over the past 12 months, 16 individuals have been convicted of arson; and their combined sentences totalled 92 years imprisonment.

It was highlighted to Members that MFRS staff attend some harrowing scenes; and it is therefore really important that the organisation has a Critical Incident Stress Management process, to provide the necessary support.

Further information was highlighted to Members around ongoing work within Merseyside to help tackle serious and organised crime; and the knife crime epidemic. Members were informed that Merseyside Police have secured a £3.37m grant from the Home Officer, to help tackle the issue, which is to be used to establish a Violence Reduction Unit, to which an officer from MFRA will be embedded.

Members were advised that a Public Health approach is being taken to the unit, which will be a further step in our prevention activity.

Members thanked officers for the very informative presentation and commented that although some of the content was quite shocking, it is very important that they understand what our staff face.

Questions were raised by Members regarding where the funding will be utilised.

Members were provided with some further information regarding the establishment of the unit, which will replicate similar models established within Glasgow and other areas. They were advised that across Merseyside, a great deal of positive work is being undertake to tackle the issue, however at present, it is not knitted together. They were informed that the funding will be utilised to ensure that everything is knitted together across Merseyside, with existing money continuing to be utilised for interventions.

A further question was raised around how specific areas will be identified for input; and whether as elected Councillors, they would be able to request input within a particular area.

Members were advised of the Safer Merseyside Partnership that has been established by the Police & Crime Commissioner, for which Cllr Steff O’Keeffe has been appointed as the representative of MFRA. They were informed that the Violence Reduction Unit will feed into this and all the relevant strategic boards, with each local authority having input around governance and structure. In terms of areas that will receive input, Members were informed that this will predominantly be demand led.

Members were also advised that other areas of the Country applied for the funding, but were not successful.

It was suggested to Members that further information could be brought back to a future meeting, regarding the outcomes and impact of the Violence Reduction Unit.

Members thanked officers for the very informative presentation.

Members Resolved that:

a)    The content of the presentation be noted.

b)    A further presentation regarding the progress and outcomes of the Violence Reduction Unit, be added to the Forward Work Plan; and be brought back to a future meeting.