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Fire crew attacks 'on the rise' Fire crew attacks 'on the rise'
(about 13 hours later)
The number of violent attacks on fire crews in England and Wales is going up despite official claims to the contrary, the Fire Brigades Union says. The number of violent attacks on fire crews in England and Wales is going up despite government claims to the contrary, the Fire Brigades Union says.
Assaults increased by 15% last year but government statistics showed a fall of 68%, according to the union. Assaults rose from 1,300 in 2006 to 1,500 in 2007, the union said. Official figures fell from 1,300 to 400.
It is calling for greater protection for firefighters who it says face a daily threat of being ambushed, shot at, stabbed and abused. It said such attacks had become a "recreational activity" with crews facing a daily threat of being ambushed, shot at, stabbed and abused.
The government was happy to discuss the matter with the FBU, a spokesman said. The government said it was happy to discuss the matter with the FBU.
A study commissioned by the union suggests the number of attacks increased from 1,300 in 2006 to 1,500 in 2007, while official data showed a drop from 1,300 to 400. name="top">
In some parts of the country attacks are so frequent that they are no longer being reported, says the union. class="bodl" href="#table">Table shows number of attacks according to FBU figures
Its study suggests there are around 40 attacks every week, ranging from stabbings and shootings to ambushes where firefighters are pelted with bottles or bricks. A study commissioned by the union suggests the number of attacks in England and Wales increased by 15% last year, while official data showed a drop of 68%.
In some areas, attacking fire crews has become a recreational activity with very serious consequences FBU general secretary Matt Wrack One of the firefighters had six on top of him, punching him John Cartwright, firefighter class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7238873.stm">'My crew were attacked'
In some parts of the country attacks were so frequent that they were no longer being reported, said the union, which is calling for better protection for firefighters.
John Cartwright, a firefighter in Greater Manchester, said he and his colleagues were attacked as they tried to put out a large bonfire.
He said: "We began to extinguish the fire, then we were making up the equipment when we were attacked by about 30 youths.
"One of the firefighters had six on top of him, punching him. They chucked bottles at us, bricks, garden ornaments."
Bottles and bricks
The FBU's study suggests there are about 40 attacks every week, ranging from stabbings and shootings to ambushes where firefighters are pelted with bottles or bricks.
The union's report - Easy Targets? - revealed a catalogue of serious assaults.The union's report - Easy Targets? - revealed a catalogue of serious assaults.
In some areas, attacking fire crews has become a recreational activity with very serious consequences FBU general secretary Matt Wrack
In one incident a hoaxer lured firefighters to a supposed car fire in Cheshire before attacking them with bricks.In one incident a hoaxer lured firefighters to a supposed car fire in Cheshire before attacking them with bricks.
In another, a petrol bomb was thrown at a fire engine in Merseyside as firemen tackled a rubbish blaze.In another, a petrol bomb was thrown at a fire engine in Merseyside as firemen tackled a rubbish blaze.
FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said it is almost "beyond belief" that firemen and women can be attacked so viciously while fighting fires and trying to save lives. FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said it was almost "beyond belief" that firemen and women could be attacked so viciously while fighting fires and trying to save lives.
"In some areas, attacking fire crews has become a recreational activity with very serious consequences. It cannot be part of anyone's job to face abuse, threats or attacks," he said."In some areas, attacking fire crews has become a recreational activity with very serious consequences. It cannot be part of anyone's job to face abuse, threats or attacks," he said.
'Spit kits''Spit kits'
He said the problem was being addressed more effectively in Scotland, Northern Ireland and increasingly in Wales.
The FBU is calling for fire crews to receive training on dealing with violent attacks, and for more money to be invested in decent protection and catching attackers.The FBU is calling for fire crews to receive training on dealing with violent attacks, and for more money to be invested in decent protection and catching attackers.
In Tyne and Wear, crews have been given "spit kits" so the attacker's DNA can be collected. It wants dedicated funding to bring in a national strategy, which would include:
  • All fire authorities required to put in place plans to tackle the issue of attacks on fire crews
  • Collection of standardised statistics on attacks
  • Conflict resolution training where violent attacks cannot be avoided
  • Public awareness advertising campaigns that challenge attacks on firefighters
  • Fast police response to incidents, and requiring regular officers rather than community support officers
  • An independent assessment of the effectiveness and use of CCTV
  • Training and initiatives with schools and the community
    In Tyne and Wear, crews have been given "spit kits" so attackers' DNA can be collected, and in Greater Manchester engines have been fitted with CCTV cameras.
    The report concludes public awareness campaigns should also be launched to seek their help in reducing the level of assaults.The report concludes public awareness campaigns should also be launched to seek their help in reducing the level of assaults.
    The union's figures, collated from fire services in England and Wales, painted a more accurate picture of the problem than the government's statistics, Mr Wrack said.
    He urged the government to take a lead "rather than sitting on the sidelines ignoring the problem as it is doing in England".
    New legislation
    In Scotland, Northern Ireland and increasingly in Wales, the problem was being addressed more effectively, he said.
    Figures in Scotland fell 8% from 324 in 2006 to 316 attacks last year, according to the union.
    HAVE YOUR SAYCan't the firefighters just spray them with the powerful hoses they carry?Tracey, WorcesterSend us your comments
    In Northern Ireland, 285 attacks were reported in 2007 compared to 342 the previous year.
    A spokesman for the Communities and Local Government Department said it had not had a chance to consider the union's report but would be happy to discuss the matter with the FBU.A spokesman for the Communities and Local Government Department said it had not had a chance to consider the union's report but would be happy to discuss the matter with the FBU.
    Legislation had been brought in last year to help the fire service take action against people who assaulted firefighters, he added.Legislation had been brought in last year to help the fire service take action against people who assaulted firefighters, he added.
    The government believed the safety of firefighters was an important issue and it was unacceptable that crews should have to face attacks, he also said.The government believed the safety of firefighters was an important issue and it was unacceptable that crews should have to face attacks, he also said.

    Attacks on firefighters

    Three-quarters of all attacks took place in ten fire and rescue services

    Fire and rescue service No. attacks 2005-6 No. attacks 2006-7 % change Greater Manchester 259 240 -7.3 South Yorkshire 90 148 +64.4 Merseyside 189 145 -22.7 West Yorkshire 135 117 -13.3 Tyne and Wear 39 108 +176.9 West Midlands 140 106 -24.3 Cleveland 81 103 +27.2 Durham and Darlington 40 83 +107.5 South Wales 43 39 -9.3 Lancashire 26 38 +46.1 Source: FBU/Freedom of Information communications
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