Horrific attacks on firefighters
Steps are being taken to help reduce “horrific” attacks on firefighters across Tyne and Wear after more than 50 incidents were logged during the latest reporting period.
There were 53 attacks on firefighters from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service recorded between April 1 and November 30, 2021, an increase of 43% on the previous year, when 37 incidents were recorded.
There had previously been adropinattacksoncrewsfrom 2018/19 to 2019/20, when incidents reduced from 76 to 57, andofficersnotedtheCovid-19 restrictions likely impacted 2020/21 figures.
Thecostoftheattackstothe fireandrescueservicetocover absencesanddamagetoappliances or equipment due to attacks was more than £16,000 during the latest period.
Peter Heath, deputy chief fire officer, stressed that no attack is acceptable and the vast majority of residents are respectful and supportive.
He said: “The service benefits greatly from the support ofthecommunitiesandforthe most part most people treat and behave in the way that we
want. I wouldn’t want to suggestit’swidespread,indeedthe evidence would suggest that it’s limited to a few individuals whocontinuetorepeatoffend.”
The comments were made after the statistics were presented to Monday’s Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority policy and performance committee.
More than half of the incidents to date in 2021/22 involved objects being thrown at firefighters or appliances, accounting for 31 cases.
Of the total number of attacks, there were 15 in Sunderland and three in South Tyneside.
However the service do have the third lowest number of attacks (2.4) per 1,000
incidents compared to other metropolitan fire and rescue services.
PhilClark,areamanagerfor strategyandperformance,said datashowsastrongcorrelation between attacks on firefightersandincidentsofdeliberate secondary fires, such as those involving rubbish.
He added that steps are being taken to try and reduce such incidents, as well as clamping down on attacks.
CllrTomWoodwarkadded: “This is horrific, this is absolutely completely and utterly unacceptable on every single level you can think of. This is actual physical violence that is taking place against people who are trying to save lives at the end of the day.”