Citation

Andersson H. Fire Technol. 1993; 29(4): 350-373.

Affiliation

Swedish Fire Protection Association, Stockholm, Sweden

Copyright

(Copyright © 1993, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/BF01052529

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

After correction, a Swedish investigation of selected crimes of arson reported to the police in 1988 revealed 6,327 incidences of arson, or 0.075% arson fires per capita, for that year. Based on estimates of the dark factor, which is the ratio between the actual number of crimes and those reported, and on the rising trends, the figure over the next few years is not likely to exceed 0.12%. Using material provided by insurance companies, a total loss volume of Swedish crowns (SEK) 1.1 +/- 0.1 × 1000 m, or about U.S. $160 + 16 m, was calculated after correction; this corresponds to 0.09% of the Gross National Product. The loss that resulted from the different types of arson was distributed by size according to the lognormal distribution function. Vandalism accounted for 55% of the incidents and 23% of the cost, while arson committed in connection with another crime accounted for 6% of the incidents and 15% of the cost. Revenge, spite, and conflicts accounted for 5% of the incidents and 10% of the cost. Mental illness accounted for 4% of the incidents and 6% of the cost. And arson for which the motive was unknown accounted for 23% of the incidents and 36% of the cost. Most of the arson fires were set in containers, refuse storage rooms, basements, attics, and so on. Fewer arson fires occurred in commercial properties, but these accounted for a greater proportion of the loss. This was also true for enterprises, dwellings, and schools. Fifty percent of the arson was committed by children and people under age 18, a figure that appears likely to increase. For minor property damage, the figure was 60%, and the rising trend there was more pronounced. A breakdown of arson over the period 1979-1988 by police districts with different population densities showed that the frequency of arson increases as population density increases, particularly for minor property damage. A breakdown of the material for Stockholm by districts clearly showed a higher frequency of arson in problem areas and a lower frequency of arson in high-status areas.