Arson and Criminal Damage

Arson is a problem and here in Wolverhampton on the East side of the city we suffer this problem also.

Councillor Phil Bateman said "Recently I asked about criminal damage statistics for arson here in Wednesfield North. The authorities told me that they did not have those statistics but they did send me the following for recorded crime G2 (Wednesfield) Operational Command Unit.


2003/04-cases 210
2004/05-cases 139
2005/06-cases 164
2006/07-Cases 111

The statistic informs that arson in this side of the city has reduced over the years, now that is a good statistic. But 111 events is still 2 episodes a week and that to me is still a chilling figure.

I write about arson as I have been informed that again tonight young people set fire to a wheelie bin in Ashmore Park. This is a community safety issue of huge importance.

These are big issues for our community. Incidentally out of the 111 events recorded. Just 9 offenders were detected in 06/07. That is just 8.1% of the crime recorded has been detected.

My appeal is for the community to help the police tackle these items. The police by themselves will not bring individuals to justice. Anyone who has information about arson please inform your local police station or phone Crimestoppers on 0800555111 and give the names anonymously."