WIGAN: Yobs stone firemen

Yobs stone firemen

Firemen were attacked by gangs of youths on two emergency call outs in Wigan.

Yobs, some believed to be as young as 10, hurled stones, a metal bar and other missiles at firefighters as they tried to put out separate fires on wasteland in Beech Hill.
Most of Wigan's fire engines are fitted with CCTV cameras to record evidence of any hostility towards firemen, but both incidents were attended by a reserve fire engine, not fitted with the equipment.
No firefighters were injured, but a fire engine was hit by a steel rod and a large battery.
Firemen are appealing to members of the public to name and shame the youths and prevent them from carrying out further attacks.
In each incident around six youths were involved, aged from 10-15.
Firemen were attacked on Sunday afternoon and again on Tuesday evening.

Steve Pattyson, watch commander for Blue Watch at Wigan fire station, said: "At 3.30pm on Sunday we were called out to a small deliberately started fire on open land off Spruce Road, Beech Hill, and around half a dozen youths threw stones at us.
"On Tuesday at around 8pm the same thing happened again as we attended a fire on open land at the top of Forest Avenue in Beech Hill. Again this was a small deliberately started fire and again half a dozen youths of a similar age threw missiles at us.
"There have been several other previous incidents in the Beech Hill area.
"We would like to ask parents if they know where their children are and what they are doing.
"The fire service is taking a tougher line on attacks on firefighters and these kids could face court appearances.
"It is a pity we couldn't get any footage of the individuals involved."
Police have been informed of both incidents.

The borough's six main fire engines were fitted with CCTV cameras in January, at a cost of £18,000, in a bid to reduce incidents of arson, attacks on firemen and thefts from fire engines.
Incriminating video footage is passed on to police and Wigan council's anti-social behaviour unit to be used as evidence in court to prosecute offenders.
Between April and November last year there were 18 incidents across the borough involving hostility towards firemen.
These included youths hurling bottles and bricks at firefighters as they tried to put out previous blazes in Beech Hill.
Last month a gang of 20 drunken youths pelted firemen with bottles and stones as they battled to control a fire on land of High Street, Golborne.

Anyone with any information about the attacks on firemen in Beech Hill or the identity of the offenders is asked to call Firestoppers on 0800 923 9999.

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