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18/04/2005
Firefighters union calls for end to attacks
Attacks on fire crews across the country are getting worse, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has reported.
There are 40 attacks on fire crews every week, the FBU claimed, and the union said that in some areas fire crews were facing daily attacks with bricks, bottles and missiles.
The FBU said that the attacks included scaffolding poles being thrown through fire engine windscreens, equipment being tampered with or stolen and firefighters being threated and intimidated as well as being spat on, directly physically assaulted and even shot at.
The FBU also claimed to have found evidence to suggest that fires were deliberately started in order to lure fire crews into pre-planned ambushes.
Official figures shows that there were 1,200 attacks in Northern Ireland over the last three years, while in Scotland, 388 incidents were recorded in 2004. 393 attacks were also reported in England and Wales in the nine-month period to the end of January 2005. However, this was based on data from only 18 of 50 brigades.
The FBU fears that the true number of attacks could be as much as three times higher than official figures suggest, due to under-reporting of attacks.
FBU General Secretary Andy Gilchrist said: “The number and ferocity of the attacks appears to be getting worse and it is only a question of time before a fire fighter is killed. These attacks are inexcusable and must not be tolerated. It can never be part of anyone’s job to get a brick or bottle in the head or to be spat at.”
Mr Gilchrist also warned that the attacks were not confined to inner cities, with attacks being reported in areas such as the South Wales valleys, Royal Berkshire, small towns in Scotland and Tonbridge Wells. 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.”
(KMcA/GB)
There are 40 attacks on fire crews every week, the FBU claimed, and the union said that in some areas fire crews were facing daily attacks with bricks, bottles and missiles.
The FBU said that the attacks included scaffolding poles being thrown through fire engine windscreens, equipment being tampered with or stolen and firefighters being threated and intimidated as well as being spat on, directly physically assaulted and even shot at.
The FBU also claimed to have found evidence to suggest that fires were deliberately started in order to lure fire crews into pre-planned ambushes.
Official figures shows that there were 1,200 attacks in Northern Ireland over the last three years, while in Scotland, 388 incidents were recorded in 2004. 393 attacks were also reported in England and Wales in the nine-month period to the end of January 2005. However, this was based on data from only 18 of 50 brigades.
The FBU fears that the true number of attacks could be as much as three times higher than official figures suggest, due to under-reporting of attacks.
FBU General Secretary Andy Gilchrist said: “The number and ferocity of the attacks appears to be getting worse and it is only a question of time before a fire fighter is killed. These attacks are inexcusable and must not be tolerated. It can never be part of anyone’s job to get a brick or bottle in the head or to be spat at.”
Mr Gilchrist also warned that the attacks were not confined to inner cities, with attacks being reported in areas such as the South Wales valleys, Royal Berkshire, small towns in Scotland and Tonbridge Wells. 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.”
(KMcA/GB)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.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.
