Children as young as 10 involved in third attack on Sunderland firefighters, says chief

Firefighters have been attacked in Sunderland by gangs of youths for the third time in less than a week.
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A fire crew responding to an incident in Commercial Road, Hendon, at 8.20pm on Monday, September 7, were attacked by a large group of youths.

The yobs threw stones at emergency service workers who were trying to extinguish a fire which had been started deliberately.

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Firefighters at the scene of the Hendon fireFirefighters at the scene of the Hendon fire
Firefighters at the scene of the Hendon fire

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service’s chief fire officer, Chris Lowther, tweeted: “For the third time in a week, fire crews were attacked last night by a large group of youths. This time in Hendon.

"Some of the attackers were as young as 10 years old. Parents, do you know where your kids are and what they are doing?”

Firefighters were threatened and pelted with rocks by groups of youths in Downhill on Thursday and Saturday evenings last week (September 3 and 5) making this the third incident in less than a week.

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A spokesman for TWFRS added: “A large pile of refuse had been set alight by Commercial Road in Hendon.

Chief Fire Officer Chris Lowther is calling for parents to speak to their children following the spate of attacks on firefightersChief Fire Officer Chris Lowther is calling for parents to speak to their children following the spate of attacks on firefighters
Chief Fire Officer Chris Lowther is calling for parents to speak to their children following the spate of attacks on firefighters

“Whilst the firefighters were dealing with the incident, a group of young people started throwing stones at them and their vehicle. Thankfully, no one was injured and the damage caused to the fire engine was minor.

"Parents, do you know where your kids are? Please teach them that firefighters are not invincible – they’re men and women with families, who work hard to keep people safe. They deserve respect, not violence and abuse.”

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One incident smashed the windscreen of a targeted response vehicle – which meant it had to be taken out of action for repair.

Damage caused to a Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service vehicle in Thursday's attack.Damage caused to a Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service vehicle in Thursday's attack.
Damage caused to a Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service vehicle in Thursday's attack.

The fire service are calling for anyone with any information about those responsible to report it to FireStoppers anonymously at www.firestoppersreport.co.uk or on 0800 169 5558.

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