Arson is one of the most damaging and least punished crimes in the UK. Deliberate fires injure and kill people, destroy homes and businesses, and tie up fire and rescue resources that could be answering genuine emergencies — yet the vast majority of arson offences end with no charge and often no named suspect. This guide brings together the latest verified data on the scale of arson, the gap between offences and prosecutions, who sets fires, the cost to the economy and what workplaces can do to reduce the risk.
Key facts and figures
- 65,053 arson offences were recorded across the UK between January 2022 and December 2024.
- 4.83% of recorded arson offences resulted in someone being charged.
- 16% of arson offences led to an arrest, and many investigations closed with no suspect identified.
- 34% of arson suspects were children, and around 80% were male.
- £2.8 billion is the estimated annual cost of arson to the UK.
- 6,411 arson incidents were recorded in London by the Metropolitan Police.
The scale of arson in the UK
Between January 2022 and December 2024, UK police forces recorded 65,053 arson offences. Arson — the deliberate setting of fires — accounts for a substantial share of the fires attended by fire and rescue services, and the volume has remained stubbornly high. In London alone, the Metropolitan Police recorded 6,411 arson incidents.
The trend is not improving everywhere. The London borough of Greenwich recorded a 67% rise in arson cases over two years, illustrating how quickly deliberate fire-setting can escalate in a single area. Across the country, MHCLG fire statistics consistently show that deliberate fires make up a significant proportion of all primary and secondary fires.
The justice gap: why arson goes unpunished
The defining feature of arson in the UK is how rarely it is punished. Of the 65,053 offences recorded between 2022 and 2024, only 4.83% resulted in charges and just 16% led to an arrest. In 12 force areas, 69% of arson investigations were closed with no suspect identified. In South Yorkshire, 80% of arson cases were closed without a named suspect.
Charge rates vary dramatically between forces. Wiltshire recorded the highest charge rate at 10.5%, while at the other extreme Essex Police logged 3,212 arson investigations but brought only two charges — a charge rate of roughly 0.06%. This postcode lottery means that, for most victims, the person who set fire to their property is never held to account.
Who sets fires: the offender profile
The data on identified suspects paints a clear demographic picture. Around 80% of arson suspects were male, and a striking 34% of suspects were children — underlining the role of youth fire-setting and the importance of education and early intervention. Repeat offending is also a serious problem: 23 forces reported more than 1,300 repeat suspects, showing that a relatively small group of individuals is responsible for a disproportionate number of deliberate fires.
The cost of arson
Arson is estimated to cost the UK around £2.8 billion a year, taking in property damage, business interruption, emergency response and the wider social harm of injury and loss of life. Non-domestic premises are a particular concern: there were approximately 1,100 non-domestic arson incidents in 2024, with the hospitality sector alone accounting for around 400 incidents.
For victims seeking redress, the picture is bleak. Of 464 applications to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) relating to arson, only 76 resulted in a payout — a 16% success rate — with an average award of just £1,345.53. For most businesses, that figure comes nowhere near the true cost of a serious fire.
| Measure (UK, 2022–2024 unless stated) | Figure |
|---|---|
| Arson offences recorded | 65,053 |
| Offences resulting in a charge | 4.83% |
| Offences leading to an arrest | 16% |
| Suspects who were children | 34% |
| Suspects who were male | ~80% |
| Arson incidents in London (Met Police) | 6,411 |
| Estimated annual cost to the UK | £2.8bn |
| CICA arson payouts (of 464 applications) | 76 (16%) |
Arson prevention
Because so few arsonists are caught, prevention matters far more than the prospect of prosecution. For workplaces, reducing arson risk is a core part of the fire risk assessment required under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Practical measures include securing the perimeter and controlling access, removing combustible waste and skips from external walls, fitting external lighting and CCTV, keeping letterboxes and gaps protected, and locking away flammable materials.
Trained fire wardens play a key role: they help maintain good housekeeping, spot and report vulnerabilities, ensure escape routes stay clear, and lead a calm evacuation if a deliberate fire is set. Combined with intruder deterrence and prompt removal of waste, a well-trained team is the most reliable defence against a crime that is rarely solved after the fact.
Sources & references
- Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) — Fire Statistics Data Tables (FIRE0401: Deliberate Fires)
- International Fire and Safety Journal — Arson Charge Rates in the UK
- London City Hall — Arson Offences in London (2025)
- CheckFire — The State of Arson 2024
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Mark writes about workplace fire safety, compliance and accredited training for Fire Marshal Training, part of Online CPD Academy.