Calls for tougher penalties after Bonfire Night attacks on firefighters

Three incidents of attacks on firefighters recorded in County Durham on Bonfire Night alone.
County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) chief fire officer (CFO) Stuart ErringtonCounty Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) chief fire officer (CFO) Stuart Errington
County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) chief fire officer (CFO) Stuart Errington

Several incidents of attacks on firefighters were recorded in County Durham during the bonfire period, fire chiefs have confirmed.

In recent weeks, County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) has faced increased pressure on services despite lockdown restrictions being in place.

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During the bonfire period, between October 25 and November 7, the service received 818 calls compared to 558 last year.

On Bonfire Night, the service was 15% busier compared to a five-year average.

In line with other areas of the country, there were also reports of firefighters being attacked while serving the public.

Three attacks were recorded across the bridage’s area.

“In terms of the attacks on firefighters, again quite high-profile in the media at the moment, I’m pleased to say we only had three incidents of this,” said chief fire officer (CFO) Stuart Errington.

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“Two actually occurred at the same venue in Kelloe and occurred within an hour-and-a-half of each other.

“But they were with two different crews, hence they were classed as two separate incidents and the third was at Peterlee.”

The fire chief was speaking at Thursday’s (November 12) meeting of the County Durham and Darlington Combined Fire Authority, which was held via videolink and broadcast on YouTube.

CFO Errington also referenced another incident in Newton Aycliffe where police were attacked while dispersing a large crowd – but stressed this did not involve firefighters.

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He went on to say: “I’m pleased to say there was no injuries to any of our firefighters, they are particularly well trained on how to deal with this kind of incident.

“But it is something that I think we need to look at in the wider scale, it seems to becoming, across the country, a more common occurrence than it was a few years ago.

“I’m sure the National Fire Chiefs Council will be doing some specific work with government around this as well.”

In recent weeks, there have been similar reports of attacks across the UK, including an incident in Newcastle where firefighters were pelted with fireworks and missiles on Bonfire Night.

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Reports of attacks also came in from fire services in Merseyside, Scotland, Wales, Staffordshire, the West Midlands and Humberside.

In the Tyne and Wear brigade area, crews are now equipped with body-worn cameras and in some areas of the country, firefighters cannot attend fires in certain areas without a police escort.

Despite new laws being introduced recently for people assaulting emergency workers, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) have continued to call for tougher sentences.

In a statement earlier this month, NFCC chair Roy Wilsher said emergency services “must be treated with the respect they deserve.”

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Mr Wilsher added: “While jail sentences have been increased from 12 to 24 months, we now need to see these imposed to send a clear message.

“Emergency services staff must be treated with the respect they deserve; blue light services are here to keep people safe.”

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