Figures released today by London Fire Brigade demonstrate deliberate fires across London have dropped by nearly 90 per cent in the last ten years.

Wandsworth had 610 counts in 2003/04 but in 2012/13 only 94 deliberate fires were reported - an 85 per cent drop.

Last year vehicle fires in London dropped from 9,300 in 2003/4 to just under 2,000.

The Brigade has schemes to help reduce deliberate fires in London, and firefighters have been working with local authorities to remove abandoned vehicles from the streets, which are often subject to arson.

Additionally the European Union ‘End of Life Directive’ came into force in 2005 and tasked car manufacturers to set up agencies to recycle cars for free when they are no longer drivable.

London Fire Commissioner Rob Dobson said: "We cannot be complacent though and I would urge anyone who sees an abandoned vehicle or dumped rubbish to report it to their local council, which will help get it removed so it cannot become a target for would be arsonists."


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