Cardiff, the capital city of Wales, has been named as the arson capital of the country, with over a quarter of all arson incidents in the south Wales region occurring in this city. Data collected by Legal Expert revealed that South Wales Police had recorded more than 1,000 arson offences between January 2022 and December 2024. Despite this high number, only 93 offenders were charged, leaving 683 cases unresolved without identifying a perpetrator.
Legal Expert’s request prompted South Wales Police to break down the offence figures by local authority area. The analysis found that Cardiff was the most common location for arson attacks, with 285 cases reported, accounting for over a quarter of the total 1,066 offences recorded across south Wales. In comparison, the region in north Wales most affected by arson was west Conwy, with 206 offences. Swansea followed closely behind Cardiff with 225 incidents, while Rhondda Cynon Taf, Bridgend, Neath Port Talbot, Vale of Glamorgan, and Merthyr Tydfil also reported significant numbers of arson crimes.
The research by Legal Expert extended nationally, with data gathered from 10 police forces across the UK. They found that arson investigations had a high probability (70%) of closing without identifying the offender. In South Wales, 8.72% of investigations led to individuals being charged, a rate that was among the highest in the UK, with only Wiltshire reporting a higher proportion of successful investigations (10.5%).
Home Office statistics from January this year revealed that just 4.4% of criminal damage and arson offenders were charged or summoned in the year ending September 2024. Across the UK, nearly 60% of investigations were closed due to suspects not being identified. South Wales Police reported that out of 667 completed investigations, 64% ended with no suspect identified, while 202 cases faced evidential issues.
Interestingly, the analysis also delved into the demographics of arson offenders. It revealed that the majority of offenders were males (79%), with a significant number of young offenders under the age of 18 involved in arson attacks. South Wales Police noted that 40 individuals were in the 10 to 17 age group, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to prevent such incidents and support young offenders.
Legal Expert also looked into the impact of arson on victims and compensation claims. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) processed claims from 464 arson victims over three years, with only a fraction receiving compensation. In 2024, 76 claims were successful, amounting to an average payment of £1,345.53 per claim. However, there were also cases where claims were rejected due to the incident not meeting the criteria of a “crime of violence.”
The findings underscored the challenges in prosecuting arson offences and providing support to victims. Legal Expert highlighted the low charge rates and emphasised the importance of victims seeking compensation through CICA, irrespective of whether the offender has been identified or charged. The report called for greater awareness of victims’ rights and avenues for seeking support and justice in cases of arson crimes.