These web pages provide a guide about safeguarding your business against the risk of arson. Use the various links to navigate to the relevant sections for further information.

Safe Business: Arson Alert

Help us to stop your business from becoming an arson statistic.

The greatest fire risk within shops and stores is from those fires which have been deliberately started. Arson is an ever present threat but it is one which you as a shop owner, store manager or business owner can do much to control.

Please use the following advice and guidelines in the following sections to help ensure that your shop, store or business is a safe as possible against arson. And take note to remember that any deliberate ignition of refuse can be a threat to life and property.

Protect Your Property From Arson

Follow these guidelines on a daily basis to help prevent arson.

• Immobilising wheelie type bins at least 6m away from your building. Securing them on a fixed structure or in a compound may be the answer for you.
• Store rubbish-awaiting collection in a secure compound away from your property.
• Make sure you do not allow waste materials to build up inside of your property.
• Hazards such as flammable liquids should be stored appropriately.
• Keep combustible materials away from boundaries where matches or cigarettes can be thrown into them.
• Make sure doors, windows, gates, walls and fences are effectively secured especially when premises are closed at night or at the weekend.

General Good Housekeeping Tips

Use these tips and advice to help minimise arson risk and maintain a safe working environment.

• Keep escape routes clear from rubbish and rubbish containers.
• Prohibit or restrict smoking to designated areas.
• If smoking is allowed provide suitable containers for the waste materials.



• Make sure there are adequate means for fighting fire in storage areas.
• Check storage and waste collection areas periodically.
• Make sure any waste burning on site is carefully controlled and supervised.
• Prohibit or restrict access to storage areas to members of the public.



• Keep all matches, candles and flammable fuels locked away when no-one is in the building.
• Consider installing security lighting and/or intruder alarms.
• Make sure waste materials or vehicles do not block fire escape doors on the inside and outside of the building.



• Keep machinery well maintained and free from a build up of oil and grease.
• Keep kitchen areas and equipment well-maintained and free from grease.
• Make sure everyone who uses or visits your property knows what to do if they discover a fire.
• MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE KNOWS WHAT TO DO IF THERE IS A FIRE AT THE PREMISES

Further Information

Further information and safety advice is available from these sources:


The Arson Prevention Bureau which has been set up by the Home Office and the Association of British Insurers to spearhead a national programme of action against arson.

The Arson Control Forum provides information to the public and agencies on arson reduction, presents a forum platform, plus links and sources of data.

Additional help and advice on protection of your premises is available from:

• Your insurer.
• Our Community Fire Safety Department. Our RBFRS Helpline is available on: (0118) 932 2152. Or visit the Community Safety Section section for more guidance.
• The crime prevention department of Thames Valley Police.
  
  

Take Positive Action

In case of fire... call 999

Get Out !
Dial 999
Get the Fire Brigade Out
Stay Out!

If you have any information about a suspicious fire call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, your call is free and completely anonymous. Visit the Crimestoppers website for further information.