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Source: Reuters
A landmark study has found young arsonists mostly come from violent homes.
The research, funded by the Fire Service Commission and supported by police, examined the criminal records of 200 young people who went through the New Zealand Fire Service education programme for young fire-setters.
While it found only 2% went on to light more fires, 55% went on to commit other crimes.
Lead researcher and clinical psychologist Dr Ian Lambie says the vast majority have been exposed to high levels of violence at home.
He says it is pretty disturbing for people to grow up in such an environment.
The Fire Service Fire Awareness and Intervention Programme (FAIP) is provided to several hundred children and adolescents each year.
They are referred by parents or agencies because they have deliberately set fires, or show worrying fire-related behaviour.
Young people under the age of 21 are responsible for about
75% of recorded arson, and six out of 10 of the arsonists are under
17.
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