YOPEN any newspaper and you'll be sure to find at least one report of arson. The fact that the majority of fires are started by children only highlights the importance of tackling youth disorder.

Now the head of a newly-formed Fire Investigation and Arson Reduction team has named Farnworth as one of the top five worst places in Greater Manchester for malicious fires. Karen Stephen reports.

THE sight of a burned-out car is all too commonplace around the borough. And a fire-ravaged, boarded up building is just as regular a sight.

The number of malicious fires has doubled over the last 10 years to become the largest, single cause of major blazes in this country. Fire brigades reported more than 100,000 incidents in the past year.

But who are the perpetrators of these fires?

A report by the Government-bodied Arson Control Forum (ACF) reveals that youngsters are responsible for more than a third of all arson attacks on cars and property.

Crimes like riding around in stolen cars and insurance fraud are behind nearly half of all burned out vehicle fires.

Leading psychologist Professor David Canter of Liverpool University -- who did the research for the ACF report -- estimates that young fire starters start 36 per cent of all deliberate property fires and 39pc are responsible for setting vehicles alight.

But why do they do it?

Well, Prof Canter rates youth disorder as the main motivation factor -- children playing with matches, lighters and the like. He also states vandalism as another key factor. Of course boredom is another.

Every parent knows once boredom sets in, a child will go looking for something to do and, while we are aware that not every bored child will go and start a fire, it has to be addressed that some -- 39pc in fact -- will.

Chris Leslie, Minister for fire safety, says: "Understanding what motivates an arsonist is vital in order to produce successful strategies to fight this increasing menace."

This is, of course, absolutely true. But, in practice, perhaps not as easy.

Arson is prevalent in most urban areas -- sadly, as we have been officially informed, none more so than in Farnworth.

John Henry is the manager of the newly-formed multi-functional Fire Investigation and Arson Reduction Team which is based in Chadderton and covers the whole of the Greater Manchester area including Bolton.

The team has been set up with £40,000 of government-money and should be up and running by autumn.

Using police data and seconded police officers, it will pinpoint the worst areas for arson before trying to discover who the perpetrators are and, more importantly, why they are doing it.

John explains: "Once we have pinpointed the problem, that's when we will set up a strategy to deal with it and monitor it very closely."

Chris Leslie agrees: "There is an ongoing campaign aimed at developing ways of preventing arson and also dealing with its consequences more rapidly and effectively.

"I welcome findings which reinforce the Government's multi-agency approach to tackling arson with initiatives like cross-departmental working; partnerships with stakeholders including police, fire services and industry and providing funding to encourage community involvement."

So will the Greater Manchester team be successful in doing just that?

John Henry is both enthusiastic and hopeful.

"We are intent on not only working with other agencies on this, but also with the community in question.

"Once you have the community on your side, then you start to get somewhere."

THE ACF, targeted with reducing incidences of arson by 30pc in the 10 years ending in March 2009, commissioned research by Professor David Canter to find out what motivates the fire starter. The findings revealed four main factors:

1 Youth disorder

2 Malicious -- revenge attacks, hate Crime

3 Emotional expression -- mental illness, personality disorders and depression

4 Criminal -- for financial gain or to conceal crimes