Firefighters to have 'hybrid' roles fighting crime to help undermanned police forces

A group of firefighters have become the first in the country to be given the power to arrest people by police in an attempt to boost crimefighting in Devon.

The seven hybrid officers from the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service were given two months training and will soon start attending police incidents alongside their usual responsibilities.

Local authorities hope the new ‘community responders’ will improve the response time of emergency services in rural areas.

Devon and Cornwall police and crime commissioner Alison Hernandez said: “We don’t know what future funding will look like for any of our emergency services and working together on unique projects like this will improve the service both organisations can deliver to people in Devon.

“I look forward to seeing the benefits that our communities will reap from this innovative work.”

However, the scheme has been criticised by unions saying it could blur the lines between services.

Dave Green, from the Fire Brigades Union told the Daily Telegraph: “Independence from the police is vital to ensure that communities know firefighters exist to save lives, not to enforce the law.

“We remain opposed to any attempt to turn firefighters into law enforcement, either in Devon and Somerset, or elsewhere in the country.”

Kevin Pearce, one of seven new community responders, said he’d received positive response from locals.

He said: “I think this pilot will be really beneficial – it will mean I can be more of a presence in the community and a face that people will recognise and can approach about both police and fire-related incidents and we can help reach more people.

“Everyone that I’ve spoken to about the project seem quite excited about it, it’s great to be able to enhance the presence of emergency services in communities where it’s needed. I’m really looking forward to being at the forefront of this trial.”