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A fire marshal has described the attacks on firefighters who responded to the Bonfire Night incidents as “abhorrent.”
Firefighters were subjected to “senseless attacks” with fireworks, stones and bricks thrown at crews as they responded to calls, according to the National Council of Fire Chiefs (NFCC), in what it described as the busiest night of the year. for many services.
He said incidents were reported Thursday in Merseyside, Tyne and Wear, Scotland, Wales, Northumberland and Humberside.
In Scotland, 1,193 calls were handled by the fire service between 3.30 pm and midnight, and 13 attacks on crews were reported.
Exclusive figures obtained by Sky News show that firefighters have been called to at least 1,084 fireworks-related incidents since 2018.
It included 20 incidents in which fireworks were used to attack firefighters, according to data released by fire services under the Freedom of Information Act.
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The NFCC said crews were likely to face more attacks over the weekend.
Chris Lowther, chairman of the NFCC operations committee and fire chief for Tyne and Wear, said: “Attacking firefighters is abhorrent.
“If one or two staff members are injured in a shift, this may result in fire engines having to be removed from the road while other staff members are called.
“This puts communities at risk if there is a major incident.
“I am disgusted to hear that firefighters have been attacked when trying to protect the communities they serve and ultimately save lives.
“We need prison sentences passed. Clearly we need a deterrent that makes people think twice.”
NFCC President Roy Wilsher said: “While jail sentences have increased from 12 to 24 months, we now need to see them imposed to send a clear message.
“Emergency services personnel must be treated with the respect they deserve; blue light services are here to keep people safe.”
The NFCC said 897 attacks were recorded last year, and firefighters in some areas were unable to attend certain incidents unless they have a police escort.
The national president of the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) has called for an urgent review of the sale of fireworks following the series of incidents.
John Apter, National President of PFEW, said: “The dangerous, irresponsible and illegal use of fireworks that we have seen in recent days can no longer be ignored.
“We have witnessed numerous pitched battles in the streets where fireworks were used as the weapon of choice and police officers were fired indiscriminately.
“This is not just a ‘little fun’, it is a serious problem that can and does lead to serious injury to people.
“The current legislation is clearly not fit for purpose, and there must be a full and urgent review that must include the availability of over-the-counter fireworks.
“This violent behavior towards emergency services workers, who are doing their job and helping people in need, is totally unacceptable.
“There must be harsher punishments to send a clear and unequivocal message that this type of behavior will not be tolerated.”
