Attacks on firefighters must stop!
The Leader of Warwickshire County Council, Alan Farnell is deeply concerned about the rising number of attacks on firefighters in Nuneaton and Bedworth.
Crews attending deliberate small fires in the Kingswood Road area were verbally abused and had missiles thrown at them by young adults and minors over the weekend.
The Fire Service is working in partnership with the Police to tackle these incidents using a range of resources including mobile surveillance cameras, which will be positioned in the Kingswood road area. The images that they capture will be used as evidence to secure convictions where appropriate.
Leader of the Council, Alan Farnell said:
“Attacks of this nature are a real concern for residents living in Nuneaton and Bedworth. The role of the fire service is to protect its community and make Warwickshire a safer place to live. Firefighters will not be able to fulfill that duty if they face attacks from young people who may not have thought through the consequences of their actions.”
County Fire officer, William Brown said:
“Warwickshire County Council’s Firefighters are dedicated to the safety of their community and they are proud of the role that they fulfill. It saddens us all when incidents of this nature occur and frustrates the level of service that we strive to deliver. The behaviour of these individuals is totally unacceptable and irresponsible. These fires were deliberately set and required a fire appliance to be committed and detained.
“This has potentially serious implications should a house fire or road traffic collision occur at the same time as this type of malicious incident. It could even be someone you know who loses their life because we are dealing with these types of incidents.”
PS David Williams of Warwickshire Police said:
"We are asking the public to help us identify the people responsible for throwing missiles at firefighters and damaging property in the Kingswood Road area of Nuneaton between 20.30 hours and 22.00 hours on 26 April 2008. It is possible the people involved are local to the area and the local community know who they are. We are asking the local community to help by contacting us and with the names of those involved. It is unacceptable that emergency services are treated in this way.
“Fortunately on this occasion no one was injured. Damaging or destroying another person’s property without lawful excuse is a criminal offence. Which can carry a maximum prison sentence of 10 years. The maximum sentence for arson is life.”
If you see any acts of anti-social behaviour please contact CRIMESTOPPERS anonymously on 0800 555 111.