Trojan Horse to catch yobs
YOBS who attack fire crews are being targeted by a Trojan Horse engine carrying police officers.
The pilot scheme has been launched after the latest attack on Merseyside fire crews when a petrol bomb was hurled at an engine tackling a rubbish blaze early yesterday in Caldway Drive, Gateacre.
Merseyside is leading the UK in the initiative, in which Merseyside police officers, police anti-social behaviour taskforce staff and members of the Fire Service Threat Response Group will ride with fire crews on board engines.
Well-known hotspot areas will be targeted and the first outing took place in Belle Vale yesterday.
Youths swore at fire staff who were tackling a blaze in a playground and two were arrested for alleged drug and public order offences.
Superintendent John Myles said: “These criminal acts clearly have ser-ious consequences to members of the fire service and local communities they are there to protect.
“That is why we are determined to work together to tackle this menace and bring those offenders responsible to justice.”
Chris Case, who heads up the Threat Response Group, added: “We do a lot of excellent work with young people across Merseyside, including fire-fighters working in schools and organising diversionary activities in the community.
“But there is a small minority who continue to put the lives of crews and the public at risk by attacking them while they are carrying out an important service. We want them to know this will not be tolerated.”
In the past week a fire engine windscreen was smashed in Lingham Park, Wirral, and crews in St Helens needed a police escort to attend rubbish fires in Clock Face after they came under attack by youths.
The Fire Service warned yobs that the Trojan scheme will be used increasingly, particularly on the run-up to Bonfire Night.
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2007/10/12/trojan-horse-to-catch-yobs-100252-19940664/
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