Of those, 3,020 were arson attacks while the remaining 670 were carried out by arsonists setting fire to their own property - most commonly to claim on their home insurance. It comes as The Oldham Times reported how two derelict buildings on Thompson Lane, Chadderton, had been subject to frequent arson attacks as youths terrorise the neighbourhood. The full figures for deliberate fires are: 654 in 2019, 631 a year later, in 2021 there were 628 recorded, while 2022 saw a sharp decline with 500 deliberate fires. Out of all the deliberate fires, GMFRS visited the 277 buildings more than twice in the last five years. The Oldham Times contacted Greater Manchester Police for comment but they did not reply by deadline.

Source: The Times January 25, 2024 11:15 UTC