Crimestoppers
Fearless - our youth service
FireStoppers
Allowing the public to tell us what they know whilst remaining 100% anonymous.
Deliberate fires can have devastating consequences for people, communities, businesses, the environment and the emergency services that respond to them. Yet many people who have information about those responsible may be reluctant to come forward. FireStoppers exists to remove that barrier.
What is FireStoppers?
FireStoppers is a specialist dedicated reporting service that enables members of the public to share information about deliberate fires, fire-related offences and fire safety concerns directly with their Fire and Rescue Service - completely anonymously.
The service gives people an opportunity to do the right thing without fear of being identified, helping Fire and Rescue Services gather valuable information that may otherwise never be reported.
- Deliberate fires and arson
- Information about fire-setters, including repeat offenders
- Attacks on firefighters
- Information about assaults, abuse or threats towards firefighters while carrying out their duties.
- Attacks on fire appliances and response vehicles
- Information relating to damage, vandalism or attacks involving fire response vehicles.
- Fire safety concerns
- Information about premises, activities or conditions that could present a fire risk to people or communities.
- Fly-tipping that presents a potential fire risk
- Where waste materials may create a fire hazard, increase fire loading or have previously been targeted by fire-setters
- Hoarder properties that may increase fire severity and operational risks
- Information that may help Fire and Rescue Services understand operational risks and improve emergency planning. In some cases, knowledge of severe hoarding conditions can support more effective response planning should a fire occur nearby.
- Other fire-related concerns that could put people, property or firefighters at risk
What does the FireStoppers service include?
The annual FireStoppers service provides Fire and Rescue Services with a fully managed anonymous reporting solution, including:
- UK-based team of trained call handlers
- Available around the clock, every day of the year
- Secure handling of information received from members of the public
- Dedicated telephone number: 0800 169 5558
- Dedicated online reporting form: www.firestoppersreport.co.uk
- 24/7, 365 days a year receipt and processing of information
- Secure dissemination of information to the relevant Fire and Rescue Service
- Timely sharing of reports to support operational and prevention activity
- Dedicated account manager
- Campaign guidance and support
- Communications resources and promotional materials
- Ongoing partnership management
How we protect anonymity
- We will never ask for your name
- We will never ask for your address
- We will never ask for your contact details
- We do not see your phone number when you call
- Online reports are protected and technical measures prevent reports from being traced back to you
- Information is passed on without identifying the source
- Nobody will know you contacted FireStoppers but you
- No police contact.
- No witness statements.
- No court appearances.
- No obligation to provide further information.
Simply tell us what you know and leave the rest to us.
100% anonymous. Always.
How FireStoppers works
- Step 1 – People tell us what they know
Information can be provided online or by telephone, any time of day or night. - Step 2 – Their anonymity Is protected and guaranteed
As an information-giver, your identity is never recorded and cannot be traced back to you. - Step 3 – Information is assessed
The information received is reviewed and securely prepared for sharing. - Step 4 – Information is passed to the relevant Fire Service
Reports are sent directly to the appropriate Fire and Rescue Service for intelligence, prevention and enforcement purposes. - Step 5 - Action
- Prevent future incidents
- Identify repeat offenders
- Protect vulnerable communities
- Support investigations
- Reduce deliberate fires
- Improve firefighter safety
What sort of helpful information does FireStoppers deal with?
When reporting deliberate fires or fire-setting behaviour, useful information includes:
- Name or nickname
- Description
- Known associates
- Address or location
- Vehicle registration number
- Make, model and colour
- Locations where vehicles have been seen
- Exact location
- Date and time
- Frequency of incidents
- Details of suspicious activity
- Photographs or videos if available
- Social media activity linked to the incident
Patterns of behaviour can be particularly valuable in identifying repeat offenders and reducing future incidents.
Why FireStoppers matters
Many people are comfortable reporting information directly to the police. Others may choose to report anonymously through Crimestoppers.
However, there are also people who do not feel comfortable using either of those routes. For these people, FireStoppers provides an alternative reporting channel.
Fire and Rescue Services are often viewed as trusted community protectors, focused on prevention, education and public safety.
Because FireStoppers shares information with Fire Services rather than the police, it can encourage people to come forward who may not otherwise have reported what they know.
This means valuable information can be captured from individuals who might otherwise remain silent, helping to prevent fires before they happen and keeping communities safer.
Why promote FireStoppers as a standalone service?
Experience suggests that FireStoppers can achieve stronger engagement when promoted as its own dedicated service.
A standalone FireStoppers identity helps reinforce:
- Anonymous reporting
- Fire prevention outcomes
- Community protection
- Direct links to Fire and Rescue Services
- A focus on public safety rather than criminal justice
The value of FireStoppers to a Fire and Rescue Service
FireStoppers provides Fire and Rescue Services with an additional deliberate fire prevention tool that can support wider community safety objectives.
- Reducing incidents of deliberate fire
- Identifying repeat fire-setters
- Increasing community engagement
- Improving information gathering
- Supporting fire reduction strategies
- Protecting firefighters and emergency responders
- Reducing demand on operational resources
- Supporting safer communities
- Protecting homes, businesses and public spaces
- Reducing environmental damage
Most importantly, FireStoppers creates another opportunity for communities to help prevent harm before it occurs.
