Attacks on Fire Crews in Scottish City Cut by Half
Source Evening Times (Glasgow)
Attacks on firefighters in the Glasgow area have been cut by more than half according to the latest statistics.
Last year attacks on crews in Strathclyde fell to 45, which is still more than one third of the Scottish total.
A more visible community presence and greater engagement with young people has been credited with contributing to the reduction in attacks.
The figure is a huge improvement on the two previous years when there were more than 100 attacks recorded out of around 50,000 call-outs.
In 2010/11 there were 103 incidents and the previous year 106 recorded attacks.
Across Scotland the number of attacks fell from 172 in 2010/11 to 112 last year. The drop of 60 was almost entirely down to the fall in Strathclyde which saw a reduction of 58 incidents.
The most common type of attack was objects being thrown at firefighters and fire engines, which accounted for 50 cases.
The year before 10 firefighters were injured as a result of attacks while attending an incident.
In the run-up to Bonfire Night last year crews in Glasgow were attacked and senior officers warned a firefighter could be seriously injured or killed in these incidents.
A crew was attacked and had to dodge missiles being hurled while putting out a bin fire, while in Maryhill a gang wielding batons, bottles and poles attacked a crew during a late night call out.
Strathclyde Fire and Rescue has set up several community engagement programmes in recent years targeting young people to get them involved with their local station and firefighters.
Junior Fire Reach targets seven to 12 year olds, while Young Firefighters deals with 13 to 18 year olds and encourages them to be positive role models for other young people.
The initiatives and other involvement like the Evening Times Community Champions, where firefighters have a visible and approachable presence at events, is credited with helping to reduce attacks on crews.
A Strathclyde Fire and Rescue spokeswoman said: We are encouraged with the positive reduction in the number of acts of violence that have been recorded against our firefighters this year.
A great deal of hard work has been carried out by SFR s Community Safety Staff, our operational crews and our key partners including Strathclyde Police and our local authorities, with the aim of reducing these figures.
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