BUSINESSES are risking going up in smoke by not taking enough measures against the growing threat of arson.

Government figures put the annual cost of arson to the UK economy at more than £2 billion, and a survey has found that more than half of companies do not take any specific precautions against the menace.

Although Swindon escapes relatively lightly from firebugs, the damage wrought on the Locarno twice in successive years in arson attacks shows the potential dangers and nightclub Soda in Old Town was also hit within two days of opening in 2002.

Croner Consulting found that just over a third of respondents to an on-line survey had arson prevention measures in place.

Croner's senior health and safety manager Trevor Davies said: "Everyone hopes it will not happen to them but figures show that arson attacks on businesses are on the increase and a major blaze could easily put a company out of business."

Easy guidelines to reduce the risk of arson include making sure piles of combustible materials are not left outside, that staff are vigilant and CCTV cameras and fences are installed to deter wrongdoers.