A new intelligence-led unit delivering tactical advice and specialist support is helping Hampshire Fire and Rescue and Hampshire Constabulary in its drive to combat Arson offences across the county.

The Arson Task Force is a joint venture between Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and Hampshire Constabulary providing specialist support and guidance to Fire and Police colleagues involved in the investigation of deliberate and serious fires across the county.

In a special 2006 report, the Department for Communities and Local Government, along with the Arson Control Forum, identified that only 9% of arson cases recorded by the police resulted in an offender being identified.

The conviction rate (3%) was even lower, and as a result, Fire and Rescue Services, and the Police, were asked to jointly focus on improving multi-agency investigation of deliberate fires, to help increase the detection and conviction rates of arsonists.

Following on from the recommendations outlined in this report the Hampshire Arson Task Force was established to support Fire and Police colleagues involved in the investigation of deliberate and serious fires.

The Hampshire Arson Task Force comprises of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Watch Manager Graham Howlett and Detective Constable Mark Leonard and are based at HFRS Shq.

The unit also has its very own Fire Investigation Search Dog’s. Two black Labrador’s called Saxon and Inca who are trained to detect the presence of minute quantities of burnt or evaporated ignitable liquids used in deliberate fire setting and can assist in identifying exhibits for seizure.

Graham and Mark provide a tactical response to Level 2/3 Fire investigations 24hrs a day and can be deployed anywhere throughout the county of Hampshire to coordinate a thorough investigative response at fire scenes and offer assistance throughout the investigation process.

Watch Manager Graham Howlett is Hampshire Fire and Rescue Services Arson Task Force Officer responsible for the operation, promotion and daily management of the Arson Task Force.

Graham is also a qualified Fire Investigator and Fire Investigation Search Dog Handler who’s duties involve the examination of fire scenes to determine the area of origin, probable cause and behaviour of the fire and of the deployment of the Fire Investigation Search Dogs “Saxon” and “Inca” to assist Fire Investigators and Crime Scene Investigators with the investigation of suspicious fires.

Between September 2006 and February 2009 Graham and the Fire Investigation Search Dogs have been mobilised to over 180 incidents with “Saxon” and “Inca” being deployed to search for the possible presence of “Ignitable Liquids” resulting in 159 positive “Finds”

To qualify as a Fire Investigation Search Dog Handler Graham undertook a total of eleven weeks training, which included a five week Fire Investigation Dog Handler/Trainer course held at the Ministry Of Defence Police Headquarters, Wethersfield, Essex Training Centre, with Clive Gregory and Associates, during July to August 2006.

At the conclusion of the eleven weeks of training Graham and “Saxon” attended an Assessment and Examination process in September 2006 known as “Annual Certification”. Inca trained and owned by Graham Howlett followed in Saxon's footsteps and successfully passed certification in January 2009. This assessment was held at the Fire Service College, Moreton in Marsh and assessed our performance against the National Occupational Performance Criteria required of Fire Investigation Search Dog Handler & Dog teams.

On successful completion of the process Graham and “Saxon” were awarded a “Certificate of Competence” which certified then as qualified to undertake operational duties for a period of 12 months. In order to maintain this Certification I repeat this certification process on an annual basis.