Firefighters in Doncaster subject to abuse and attacks hundreds of times over the last decade

New figures reveal that firefighters in Doncaster have been attacked and verbally abused hundreds of times over the course of a decade.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

At least 8,600 attacks have been recorded by fire brigades across England since 2010 and more than 500 firefighters have been injured as a result.

Home Office statistics show crews from the South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service were at the centre of 281 of those incidents, with 32 attacks recorded by the fire service in the year to March.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In light of the figures, police chiefs vowed to use the full force of the law against those who subject emergency workers to ‘deplorable’ attacks.

Firefighters are subject to a lot of verbal abuse and even physical attacks.Firefighters are subject to a lot of verbal abuse and even physical attacks.
Firefighters are subject to a lot of verbal abuse and even physical attacks.

Since recording began just over a decade ago, 11 South Yorkshire firefighters have been physically injured in attacks.

Read More
Doncaster Council accused of 'greenwashing' over plan to mitigate sale of green ...

During that time, crews were subject to 11 incidents of physical abuse, had objects thrown at them on 75 occasions, had verbal abuse directed at them 165 times, experienced six episodes of harassment and dealt with at least 24 other aggressive incidents.

Despite firefighters attending fewer incidents and fires during the first year of the coronavirus pandemic, attacks increased nationally, with 934 recorded across England in 2020-21 compared to 899 the year before.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

And the true figures could be higher, as those reported only reflect assaults experienced during operational incidents and do not take into consideration abuse that has taken place at or around fire stations or as crews are carrying out fire prevention work, for example.

Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said: “Any attack on firefighters - who are providing a humanitarian service - is something to be deplored.

“It is paramount that fire and rescue services provide appropriate support to firefighters who are subject to such attacks, including taking into account any mental health effects of these incidents, and being understanding when it comes to sick leave.

Verbal abuse is the most common type of attack recorded nationally, accounting for 57 per cent of incidents recorded by fire services since 2010-11.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Around a quarter of incidents involved objects being thrown at firefighters, while five per cent were physical attacks.

A spokesman for the National Police Chief’s Council said it is never acceptable for anyone to be assaulted or harmed doing their job.

He said: “Last year, the maximum jail term for attacking emergency workers was doubled.

“This sent a clear message that society will not tolerate abuse of our emergency workers.

“We will use the full force of the law to prosecute anyone who uses violence against those who are on the front line.”

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Liam Hoden, editor.