A SPECIALIST task force aimed at stamping out one of the fastest growing crimes in Hampshire will officially start work today.

In a first for the county, Hampshire Constabulary and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service have joined forces to crack down on the region's arsonists.

With almost 10,000 cases reported last year, arson is rapidly becoming one of the most common, as well as devastating, crimes the emergency services have to deal with.

The new Arson Task Force has been set up to catch criminals intent on causing chaos with fire.

Based at Alton fire station, the unit will be deployed to suspicious incidents across the county and includes specialist officers trained in detecting signs of deliberate blazes and collecting evidence.

The team, headed by Detective Constable Mark Leonard of Hampshire Constabulary and Watch Manager Graham Howlett of Hampshire Fire and Rescue, has already been working together and last month assisted with the arrest of 18 people suspected of arson.

To help sniff out evidence they will also work alongside Saxon, the HFRS Fire and Arson Support Unit and Fire Investigation Search dog, who will attend fire scenes to detect flammable liquids used in deliberate fire-setting.

As well as bringing the criminals to justice, the team will also be taking steps to discourage would-be arsonists by working within communities seen as problem areas.