EMERGENCY services responded to a record number of arsons last year, figures have revealed.

A Freedom of Information request to Thames Valley Police revealed the number of deliberate fires in Buckinghamshire.  

The number of deliberate fires peaked in 2022, with 268 arsons recorded in total across the county, with 14 arsons endangering life and 254 arsons not endangering life recorded.

This was an increase from a total of 201 arsons the previous year.

During the height of the coronavirus pandemic and national lockdowns in 2020, there were 176 arsons – down from 194 in 2019.

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Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service said deliberate fires tend to increase during hot and dry spells, which could explain the rise in numbers last year.

Since 2018 up until the first half of 2023, there have been 1,080 incidents of arson in Buckinghamshire. 

Here are the arson hotspots where the police recorded ten or more arsons since 2018 up until the first half of 2023.

  • Aylesbury – 234 arsons
  • High Wycombe – 222   
  • Chesham – 50
  • Buckingham – 49
  • Gerrards Cross – 37
  • Iver – 31
  • Marlow – 22
  • Chalfont St Peter – 17
  • Flackwell Heath – 15
  • Hazlemere – 15
  • Princes Risborough – 15
  • Amersham – 14
  • Denham – 14
  • Winslow – 14
  • Beaconsfield - 11
  • Bourne End – 11
  • Chalfont St Giles – 10
  • Holmer Green – 10