THERE have been more than 700 unsolved arson cases in Gwent over the past 18 months.

Since April 1, 2010, there have been 72 arson attacks where life was endangered, 51 of which remain unsolved.

In that same time, there were 721 cases of arson where life was not endangered – in 676 of these cases, the culprit is yet to be found.

Arson cases where life was not endangered reflect fires such as those started in bins and on grass.

Figures released to the Argus under the Freedom of Information Act show in 2010/11 there were 49 reports of arson where life was endangered, and police are still hunting those responsible in 33 of these cases.

So far in 2011/12, there have been 23 similar cases, 18 of which remain unsolved.

In the last financial year, Gwent Police had 461 reports of arson where life was not endangered, 429 of which are still outstanding. From April 1, 2011, there have been 260 offences of this nature, with 247 yet to be solved.

As reported previously in the Argus, in 2009/10, there were 76 arson cases where life was endangered, 61 of which were unsolved. Of the 522 arson cases where life was not endangered, 482 cases had yet to be concluded.

As reported in the Argus in June, an unknown arsonist was caught on CCTV moments after setting fire to the Premier store on Risca Road, Stow Hill, Newport.

A hooded figure was captured running away from the blaze moments after pouring petrol on the windowand setting it alight, causing around £1,000 worth of damage.

Later that month, Chepstow’s Thornwell Primary School was devastated by fire. It was caused by a tealight candle being left alight in a playhouse.

Although two teenagers, aged 17 and 19, were initially arrested, they were released without charge. The blaze is still being treated as a suspected arson because of the recklessness of the candle being left alight there.

A Gwent Police spokeswoman said: “These figures include a wide range of incidents varying from bin, car and grass fires to building fires. Gwent Police takes these offences very seriously and officers work closely with the Fire Service on initiatives to reduce incidents of arson and deal with those responsible.”

Anyone with information relating to any arson cases is asked to call Gwent Police on 101.

EDITORIAL COMMENT: Alarm over arson

SHOCKING figures revealing that more than 700 incidences of arson in Gwent over the past 18 months are unsolved gives real cause for concern.

Not least because the figures illustrate just how difficult it is to catch perpetrators of what is such a reckless, senseless crime.

But as so many cases are unsolved, the ability to use the justice system to send a warning shot to others is seriously hampered.

With so many arsonists getting off scot-free it is difficult to see how others can be dissuaded from committing the crime.

Thankfully in the majority of cases over the past 18 months no lives were put at risk.

However, since April 1, 2010 there have been 72 arson attacks where life was endangered, a worrying 51 of which remain unresolved.

They include such high-profile cases as the destruction of Thornwell Primary School, Chepstow, which was ravaged by fire in June.

Nobody was injured in that fire but the destruction and resulting problems for the school are still taking their toll seven months on.