The arson study by Safety Group UK ranks deliberate fire incidents across UK regions, highlighting Shropshire's exceptional combination of minimal fire activity and outstanding safety outcomes.
Key Findings
- Shropshire ranks #2 nationally for lowest fire rates with just 1.71 deliberate fires per day, second only to the Isles of Scilly
- Between 2022 and early 2025, the region recorded just 21 casualties and zero fatalities from arson incidents -- placing it among a select group of counties with no fire deaths during this period
- The county has achieved a remarkable five consecutive years without a single fire-related death (2020-2025)
- This represents a significant improvement from the pre-pandemic period (2015-2019), which saw 3 fatalities and 34 casualties
Exemplary Safety Record
The report highlights Shropshire's position as a national leader in fire safety outcomes, with a consistent record of zero fatalities in recent years.
From 2010 to early 2025, Shropshire recorded 16 fatalities from deliberate fires, but none of these have occurred since 2020. The pre-pandemic period (2015-2019) saw 3 fatalities, while the post-pandemic period (2020-2025) has maintained zero fatalities -- a 100% improvement.
Fatalities peaked in 2019/20, with 3 deaths, but have stayed at zero every year since 2020/21, demonstrating a sustained commitment to fire safety excellence.
Steady Casualty Figures
Despite the elimination of fatalities, casualty figures have remained relatively stable:
- The post-pandemic period (2020-2025) saw 45 casualties, slightly higher than the 34 recorded pre-pandemic (2015-2019)
- Between 2022 and early 2025, 21 casualties were recorded
- Casualties were highest in 2014/15 (18 injuries) and 2012/13 (10 injuries)
This pattern suggests that while Shropshire continues to experience some injury-causing fires, none of these incidents have resulted in fatalities for five consecutive years.
Rural Fire Profile
Shropshire shows significant fire activity, especially in outdoor and vehicle categories:
- 5,233 secondary arson incidents since 2010
- 905 deliberate road vehicle fires
- 381 arson attacks on other buildings
- 279 deliberate dwelling fires
- 303 other outdoor fires
These totals suggest a high proportion of non-structural fire types, consistent with Shropshire's predominantly rural environment, which may partially explain the lower fatality risk despite steady fire activity.
Recent Annual Arson Volumes
- 2022/23: 284 deliberate fires
- 2023/24: 267 deliberate fires
- 2024/25*: 221 deliberate fires
- Average: ~257 arson incidents per year
Stable Seasonal Patterns
Shropshire demonstrates unusually stable seasonal patterns in arson activity:
- In 2021/22, fires fell by just 8.6% from the first half to the second half of the year
- In 2022/23, the drop was only 1.3%, indicating a steady year-round incident rate
This exceptional stability suggests consistent fire risk management across seasons, unlike many regions that experience dramatic seasonal fluctuations.