Cornish businesses have been urged to take precautions to prevent arson and false alarms as part of UK Business Safety Week this week (September 11 to 17).

The week aims to reduce fire incidents in the workplace.

Nationally, there are nearly 3,000 arson attacks on businesses each year.

Terry Nottle, station manager for business support, said: ‘An arson attack can be devastating, but it would probably surprise people to know that most arson attacks aren’t planned, they are opportunistic. 

‘Simple steps to reduce the build-up of combustibles and waste near buildings can reduce the likelihood of an arson attack. 

‘If you haven’t done a recent workplace fire risk assessment, now is the time.’

False alarms are another area businesses are being asked to think about. Across the UK there are nearly 250,000 false alarms a year and according to the Fire Industry Association, this costs business and fire and rescue services £1 billion.