Attacks on Strathclyde firefighters have fallen for the first time in six years.

f violence in 2007-2008 compared to 171 in 2006-2007 - a drop of 11.7 per cent.

Attacks with weapons remained at six, stoning attacks fell from 54 to 44, attacks involving missiles rose from 56 to 61, verbal abuse incidents fell from 23 to 16 and other acts of violence (mainly vandalism to fire appliances) reduced from 23 to 16.

The figures are contained in the annual health and safety report presented recently to the Board of Strathclyde Fire & Rescue.
The Board’s Convener, Councillor Brian Wallace, said: “The Board welcomes this reduction in attacks on firefighters, but we must not be complacent. Fire fighters should not have to endure vicious attacks while protecting our communities.

“The Fire Service and the Police are doing everything possible to halt such attacks but the public has a role to play. People should report anything they know about attacks to the Police. Many, if not most, attackers are children and young people so it is up to parents to make sure that their youngsters are kept under control.”

Supporting the Convener’s comments, Brian Sweeney, Chief Officer of Strathclyde Fire & Rescue, said: “Everything possible is being done to maintain a downward trend in dreadful attack against our firefighters. We have introduced DNA ‘spit kits’ to identify people who carry out disgusting spitting attacks and CCTV cameras are being fitted to our fire appliances.

We are working closely with Strathclyde Police and local councils and engaging with young people through countless school visits and programme such as Fire Reach. As Councillor Wallace points out, however, communities, can do so much to curb this violence and we are grateful when local people do go to the Police to give information about attacks on firefighters.”