Firefighters abused and pelted with rocks while responding to calls
Two crews of firefighters were verbally abused and had items thrown at them while on duty in Tyne and Wear yesterday evening.
Firefighters from Rainton Bridge Community Firestation attended a call to a wheelie bin that was on fire and, while they were putting out the blaze, a group of young people began shouting abuse and throwing objects, a spokesperson said.
Another crew from Sunderland Central Firestation responded to a call about two mattresses that had caught fire, and had stones thrown at them as they worked to put out the fire.
The same crew was shouted at by another gang of people later on in the same evening.
Fortunately none of the crew was injured and their fire engines did not sustain significant damage.
Service spokesperson Karen Leech told Yahoo News: “It does seem that these attacks are happening more often. We’ve seen an increase in incidents like this in our area in the past year.”
Ms Leech said that attacks tend to increase around bonfire night, and during the winter when it gets dark earlier.
The fire and rescue service is currently running a campaign after a spate of deliberate fires in the area.
Children as young as 13 have been charged in our area for making deliberate fires. That's arson. If your kids are out – do you know where they'll end up? If they play with fire, it could be hospital or a police station. #Talktothem #WhatMattersToYou pic.twitter.com/JKvO4ZtzVV
— Tyne and Wear FRS (@Tyne_Wear_FRS) October 17, 2018
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said in a statement: “We know that this is the action of a minority.
“But they are putting firefighters and vehicles at risk.
“If firefighters are injured and appliances are damaged and have to be taken out of action then this could also put your lives at risk.”
The service said they would use the CCTV attached to the fire engines to identify the perpetrators.
Anyone with information about the incidents can call Crimestoppers on 0800555111.