Menu
18/04/2005
Over 1,200 attacks on NI fire crews, FBU reveal
Official figures have revealed that there have been 1,200 attacks on fire crews in Northern Ireland over the last three years, with serious concerns that the problem is being underplayed.
New UK wide research carried out for the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) and released on Monday showed that there are 40 attacks on UK fire crews every week.
FBU general secretary Andy Gilchrist said the number and ferocity of the attacks appeared to be getting worse.
“The causes appear complex and we need more than knee-jerk reaction headlines calling for ‘crackdowns’,” he said. “Many attacks are in deprived areas with poor youth facilities and poor housing, where bored young people turn to drugs and alcohol.
“But they happen in many other types of areas which are neither poor nor deprived. There is no quick-fix solution but we need to start with a properly resourced, national strategy rather than it being left to cash-strapped local fire services.”
Some of the attacks highlighted in today’s report include: scaffolding poles being thrown through windscreens of fire engines; crews being attacked with concrete blocks, bricks and bottles; being shot at; spat at; equipment tampered with or stolen; direct physical assaults on fire crews; and equipment being urinated on.
Official statistics show that attacks are now running at about 2,000 a year, but the FBU and the brigades contacted during the research said that there was now a serious problem of under-reporting.
(MB/GB)
New UK wide research carried out for the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) and released on Monday showed that there are 40 attacks on UK fire crews every week.
FBU general secretary Andy Gilchrist said the number and ferocity of the attacks appeared to be getting worse.
“The causes appear complex and we need more than knee-jerk reaction headlines calling for ‘crackdowns’,” he said. “Many attacks are in deprived areas with poor youth facilities and poor housing, where bored young people turn to drugs and alcohol.
“But they happen in many other types of areas which are neither poor nor deprived. There is no quick-fix solution but we need to start with a properly resourced, national strategy rather than it being left to cash-strapped local fire services.”
Some of the attacks highlighted in today’s report include: scaffolding poles being thrown through windscreens of fire engines; crews being attacked with concrete blocks, bricks and bottles; being shot at; spat at; equipment tampered with or stolen; direct physical assaults on fire crews; and equipment being urinated on.
Official statistics show that attacks are now running at about 2,000 a year, but the FBU and the brigades contacted during the research said that there was now a serious problem of under-reporting.
(MB/GB)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
21 November 2024
UK Education Ministers Meet In Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland hosted the fifth UK Education Ministers' Council (EMC) meeting at Laurelhill Community College in Lisburn.
UK Education Ministers Meet In Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland hosted the fifth UK Education Ministers' Council (EMC) meeting at Laurelhill Community College in Lisburn.
16 June 2008
Newry City Fire Tackled
A major blaze was tackled at a derelict building in Newry last night. Six fire crews, backed by an hydraulic platform and water tanker, battled successfully to prevent flames spreading from a former Autopart store to surrounding buildings at Monaghan street and Upper Edward Street in the city. The cause of the outbreak is being investigated.
Newry City Fire Tackled
A major blaze was tackled at a derelict building in Newry last night. Six fire crews, backed by an hydraulic platform and water tanker, battled successfully to prevent flames spreading from a former Autopart store to surrounding buildings at Monaghan street and Upper Edward Street in the city. The cause of the outbreak is being investigated.
18 May 2005
Motorist dies in Co Armagh school bus crash
A man has died following a collision between a car and a school bus in Co Armagh this morning. The victim, named as Jason Davidson Murray, 26, from Shandon Park in Newry, died when his car collided with the bus at around 8.30am on the Tandragee Road outside Newry.
Motorist dies in Co Armagh school bus crash
A man has died following a collision between a car and a school bus in Co Armagh this morning. The victim, named as Jason Davidson Murray, 26, from Shandon Park in Newry, died when his car collided with the bus at around 8.30am on the Tandragee Road outside Newry.
11 August 2008
Minister Condemns Attacks On Fire Crews
Attacks on fire crews place their lives in danger and put communities at risk, said Public Safety Minister Michael McGimpsey today. Condemning a further spate of attacks on firefighters in Dungannon and Londonderry over the weekend, the Minister said it was absolutely unacceptable for anyone to assault emergency workers.
Minister Condemns Attacks On Fire Crews
Attacks on fire crews place their lives in danger and put communities at risk, said Public Safety Minister Michael McGimpsey today. Condemning a further spate of attacks on firefighters in Dungannon and Londonderry over the weekend, the Minister said it was absolutely unacceptable for anyone to assault emergency workers.
17 July 2001
ASSEMBLY CREATE AWARD TO HONOUR FIRE SERVICE
THE Northern Ireland Fire Service is to receive the first ever award given by the province's devolved assembly. An illuminated scroll is to be presented to Chief Fire Officer John McClelland on Tuesday, by assembly speaker Lord Alderdice in tribute to the sacrifice made by fire fighters over the years.
ASSEMBLY CREATE AWARD TO HONOUR FIRE SERVICE
THE Northern Ireland Fire Service is to receive the first ever award given by the province's devolved assembly. An illuminated scroll is to be presented to Chief Fire Officer John McClelland on Tuesday, by assembly speaker Lord Alderdice in tribute to the sacrifice made by fire fighters over the years.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
