Attacks on firefighters attending 999 calls have soared, new figures have revealed.
Crews trying to douse blazes or attending car crashes came under attack 738 times in the year to March – or twice a day.
It compared to 578 occasions in 2014-15 – a rise of 28 per cent.
Over the same period, the number of firefighters who suffered injuries at the hands of yobs more than doubled from 24 to 56.
Despite trying to save people’s lives, fire crews have been pelted with rocks and bricks, had fireworks and coins thrown at them, and in one case a gang hit a female firefighter with a paving stone, forcing her to go off sick for eight weeks.
Attacks on firefighters attending 999 calls have soared, new figures have revealed. Crews trying to douse blazes or attending car crashes came under attack 738 times in the year to March – or twice a day. File photo
The statistics, revealed by the Home Office, include 206 instances of crews coming under attack by thugs throwing objects and 44 cases of physical violence.
The remaining incidents cover verbal abuse and harassment, which have been counted together.
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said cuts of 11,000 to firefighter numbers under the Government’s austerity drive meant they had less time to engage with youngsters.
It said: ‘When firefighters engage with communities, this sort of anti-social behaviour reduces.
‘With drastic cuts to firefighter numbers there are in many instances insufficient personnel to carry out this important work.
Despite trying to save people’s lives, fire crews have been pelted with rocks and bricks, had fireworks and coins thrown at them, and in one case a gang hit a female firefighter with a paving stone, forcing her to go off sick for eight weeks
‘The problem is happening against a backdrop of severe cuts to a vast range of social programmes, including youth clubs, sports and arts activities.
‘These initiatives deter young people from engaging in anti-social behaviour.’
Last month, the Government said it would back a new law under which those who attack emergency workers will face longer sentences.
The Ministry of Justice said it will support the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Bill, which will double the maximum sentence for those who assault police, firefighters and NHS staff while on duty.
The legislation, put forward by former Labour minister Chris Bryant, will also require judges to consider the fact a victim is an emergency worker as an aggravating factor in more serious assaults – putting it on a par with hate crimes.
Fire Service Minister Nick Hurd said: ‘All attacks on firefighters are deplorable and are taken very seriously. It is a priority for Government to ensure that our emergency service workers are protected and we take a zero-tolerance approach to attacks.’