Fire crews facing violence

Attacks and threats of violence and verbal abuse of firefighters in Staffordshire are continuing to rise.

Staffordshire Fire Authority's scrutiny and performance committee will be asked on September 3 to back new measures aimed at reducing violence and aggression towards crews.

The authority's director of performance and planning Chris Enness will tell members that since 2003-2004 the number of incidents has risen from 12 a year to 33 in 2007-2008.

Last year's figures included 11 incidents when missiles were thrown at firefighters, five threats, nine assaults and eight incidents of verbal abuse.

CCTV is being installed on front line appliances to assist in prosecuting individuals who are involved in violence towards firefighters.

The authority is also investigating a training course for front line staff in dealing with hostility and aggression.

The first recorded inside of violence against firefighters in Staffordshire was in 1999 in Burslem when a metal object was thrown.

The first physical attack was six years later.

Last year three firefighters were injured at a small fire in Bignall End when the crew were attacked by a gang of youths. One of the firefighters needed hospital treatment for a fractured thumb.

Mr Enness said that the figures would continue to be monitored and it was hoped that the use of CCTV cameras would help reduce the number of incidents.

* On May 1 this year firefighters, including one of Asian ethnic origin, were the subject of racially offensive comments while carrying out a home fire risk assessment at a house in Burton upon Trent. The occupier was rude and made several racially offensive comments.