Legal Expert report reveals just 17 successful claims in 2024 from over 450 applications since 2022
Victims of arson in the UK are struggling to receive financial compensation, with new data revealing that only 17 claims were successful in 2024 through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA)—despite a rise in the number of applications and a growing number of arson offences nationwide.
According to research by Legal Expert, a leading criminal injury claims service, the CICA received more than 450 applications between January 2022 and December 2024 from victims of arson-related violence. However, just one in six of those claims resulted in a payout.
Arson is officially classed as a “crime of violence” under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012, meaning victims who suffer physical or psychological harm may be eligible for financial redress if civil litigation isn’t a viable option.
78% of resolved arson claims were rejected by CICA
CICA data obtained by Legal Expert shows that of 464 arson-related claims processed over three years, only 76 were accepted, while 194 were rejected. A further 194 cases remain unresolved, leaving many victims still in limbo.
In 2024 alone, just 17 of 79 resolved cases resulted in compensation. The financial figures reflect this low success rate, with total payouts dropping significantly year-on-year:
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£67,070 in 2022
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£32,790 in 2023
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Just £2,400 in 2024
That’s a total of £102,260 paid out across three years, averaging around £1,345 per successful case.
The CICA cited several reasons for rejections:
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98 cases dismissed as “not a crime of violence”