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South Wales Fire Service campaign over attacks on crews South Wales Fire Service campaign over attacks on crews
(about 1 hour later)
Attacks on fire fighters are "beyond belief" says a service chief as a campaign is launched to raise awareness of the issue. Firefighters have been punched, had bottles thrown at them and been confronted by gangs of youths during call outs, a fire chief has said as a campaign on the issue is launched.
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said there were 14 incidents between 2012 and the end of 2013. South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said that its crews had also been kicked, had bricks thrown at them and been verbally abused during call outs.
Chief fire officer Huw Jakeway said crews had to endure verbal assaults, having bricks and bottles hurled at them and were punched and kicked. In all the brigade had 14 incidents between 2012 and 2013.
He warns the problem could have consequences for victims of fires. Fire chiefs have said the problem could have consequences for victims of fires.
Mr Jakeway is launching the "We Can't Protect While We Are Under Attack" campaign on Monday. Chief Fire Officer Huw Jakeway is launching the "We Can't Protect While We Are Under Attack" campaign on Monday.
"It is absolutely beyond belief that our fire fighters are being attacked so viciously while responding to emergency incidents and trying to save lives," he said. "It is absolutely beyond belief that our firefighters are being attacked so viciously while responding to emergency incidents and trying to save lives," he said.
"Attacking our fire crews has very serious consequences and it cannot and will not be part of anyone's job to face abuse, threats or attacks."Attacking our fire crews has very serious consequences and it cannot and will not be part of anyone's job to face abuse, threats or attacks.
"We take any verbal or physical attacks against our staff very seriously. It is totally unacceptable and distracts us from our main role of keeping the public safe and protecting them in emergencies.""We take any verbal or physical attacks against our staff very seriously. It is totally unacceptable and distracts us from our main role of keeping the public safe and protecting them in emergencies."
He said attacks on crews could have life threatening consequences for people involved in fires.He said attacks on crews could have life threatening consequences for people involved in fires.
Bonfire attackBonfire attack
In one incident last October, a fire crew attending a reported bonfire blaze at Penygraig in Rhondda Cynon Taf were confronted by a gang of 30 to 40 youths, who blocked their path.In one incident last October, a fire crew attending a reported bonfire blaze at Penygraig in Rhondda Cynon Taf were confronted by a gang of 30 to 40 youths, who blocked their path.
The fire engine then came under attack, as objects were thrown at the vehicle. The firefighters were forced to retreat - unable to deal with the bonfire.The fire engine then came under attack, as objects were thrown at the vehicle. The firefighters were forced to retreat - unable to deal with the bonfire.
Head of the fire crime unit at South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Dewi Jones, said: "Thankfully it is a very small minority of people who are responsible for this kind of behaviour, however attacks on our fire fighters have increased over the last couple of years with many attacks still going unreported.Head of the fire crime unit at South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Dewi Jones, said: "Thankfully it is a very small minority of people who are responsible for this kind of behaviour, however attacks on our fire fighters have increased over the last couple of years with many attacks still going unreported.
"We want to put a stop to these attacks now.""We want to put a stop to these attacks now."
He told BBC Wales the number of attacks had risen by 16% in the past two years, the the latest coming on Friday.He told BBC Wales the number of attacks had risen by 16% in the past two years, the the latest coming on Friday.
"The range of attacks [varies] from verbal abuse, being spat, having missiles thrown at ourselves and even being ambushed. This is completely unacceptable."The range of attacks [varies] from verbal abuse, being spat, having missiles thrown at ourselves and even being ambushed. This is completely unacceptable.
"We have had incidents where a small fire is set on open ground, we come along to extinguish it and individuals will have lit fireworks and directed them directly at the crews who are putting out the fire.""We have had incidents where a small fire is set on open ground, we come along to extinguish it and individuals will have lit fireworks and directed them directly at the crews who are putting out the fire."
Fire engines in south Wales are fitted with CCTV to record footage of attacks which could then be used to prosecute offenders.Fire engines in south Wales are fitted with CCTV to record footage of attacks which could then be used to prosecute offenders.