A FIRE chief has issued a tough warning to vandals as Bonfire Night approaches: “Even one attack on staff who are simply doing their jobs is one too many.”

Dave Walton, Deputy Chief Fire Officer at West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, spoke out amid stark figures which have put the spotlight on the number of attacks on firefighters.

In one shocking incident, a firefighter in Bradford was punched in the head by a member of the public.

Home Office statistics show at least 8,600 attacks have been recorded by fire brigades across England since 2010-11 – and more than 500 firefighters have been injured as a result. And the figures show crews from the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service were at the centre of 813 of those incidents - with 70 attacks recorded by the fire service in the year to March.

Since recording began just over a decade ago, 28 West Yorkshire firefighters have been physically injured in attacks. During that time, crews were subject to 27 incidents of physical abuse, had objects thrown at them on 420 occasions, had verbal abuse directed at them 311 times, experienced 10 episodes of harassment, and dealt with at least 45 other aggressive incidents.

A report , published in September, to the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority shows 16 incidents have been recorded in West Yorkshire in the current financial year.

Five of those happened in the Bradford district, with two incidents of stoning; one incident of aggressive behaviour and two of verbal abuse.

Attacks on emergency workers often increase around the Halloween and Bonfire period and work is ongoing in Bradford to help combat the issue.

The Mary Magdalene Foundation in Bradford recently held a session for young people as part of its Con-Fessions programme, which launched through the Mayor of West Yorkshire, teaching young people about being safe with fireworks.

Sharat Hussain, a member of the foundation said: “We put on these sessions to make young people aware of the consequences their actions can have if they attack a member of the uniformed service. 

“We want them to have fun but in a safe manner for them and those around them. Just because we have these events, it doesn’t mean we condone the anti-social behaviour that’s attached to them.”

Police have vowed to use the full force of the law against those who subject emergency workers to “deplorable” attacks.

Chief Superintendent Daniel Greenwood, commander of West Yorkshire Police’s operation for Halloween and Bonfire Night, said the period is “no excuse for anti-social behaviour or for anyone seeking to endanger or frighten anyone else deliberately”

He added: “We will respond promptly to any reports of ongoing incidents and technology such as CCTV, bodycam and mobile phone footage gives us an unparalleled ability to identify those involved in trouble. I can promise we will not hesitate to take robust action against anyone who seeks to commit criminality or intimidate others whilst masquerading as ‘having fun’.  Reports of damage to property or assaults on emergency services personnel will be met with the full weight of the law.” 

Mr Walton added: “Even one attack on our staff who are simply doing their jobs is one too many. We will offer every assistance and encouragement to the police to bring any offenders to court.”

Despite firefighters attending fewer incidents and fires during the first year of the coronavirus pandemic, attacks increased nationally, with 934 recorded across England in 2020-21 compared to 899 the year before.

And the true figures could be higher, as those reported only reflect assaults experienced during operational incidents and do not take into consideration abuse that has taken place at or around fire stations or as crews are carrying out fire prevention work, for example.

Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said: “Any attack on firefighters – who are providing a humanitarian service – is something to be deplored. It is paramount that fire and rescue services provide appropriate support to firefighters who are subject to such attacks, including considering any mental health effects of these incidents, and being understanding when it comes to sick leave.”

A spokesman for the National Police Chiefs’ Council said: “We will use the full force of the law to prosecute.”