New approach to tackle arson

Teesside is a UK arson 'hotspot'

Police and fire services in a UK arson "hotspot" are taking a new approach to the way deliberate fires are investigated.

Courses are running for police officers and firefighters on Teesside to look at new ways of investigating suspicious fires.

Detective Constable Graham Thompson of Cleveland Police said the current approach in the UK was not sharp enough and turned to America for inspiration.

He said arson was a massive problem in the Teesside area and the courses could have a big impact.

Mr Thompson said: "Unfortunately, Cleveland is still the arson capital of the UK.

"We are trying to change this through training and making everyone arson aware."

'Serious crime'

Mr Thompson said the idea of the courses was to look at ways the fire brigade and police can work together more effectively and help each other to investigate arson.

Speakers include forensic scientists, pathologists and psychologists.

Mr Thompson added: "Personally, I believe we don't do as much as we should do... we could have a bit more in-depth knowledge of investigative work into arson.

"Arson is a crime, it needs to be tackled and it needs to be tackled seriously.

"I hope it will have a great impact for the community of Cleveland with regards to the way we investigate arson to get the best evidence to present to the court and get the person responsible for the crime prosecuted."