Published: Saturday, 27th February, 2010 2:00pm

Bid to catch 999 attack gangs

CAMERA CATCH: Wardens with cameras.

COMMUNITY wardens will attend calls with firefighters in a bid to crack down on sickening attacks on our 999 crews.

Wardens will use CCTV to record incidents to help prosecute anyone who attacks firefighters.

Strathclyde Fire and Rescue crews in Inverclyde have previously come under attack from gangs of youths hurling stones and fireworks.

The number of incidents has been decreasing, but emergency services say they are still at an 'unacceptably high level'.

A firefighter in Gourock was injured after being hit on the head with a brick during the most recent attack.

Area commander Simon Hunt said: "Firefighters should not have to endure vicious attacks while protecting our communities. There is a real cost to the community when fire crews are attacked.

"Injuries to our staff and damage to vehicles can result in appliances being unavailable for considerable periods of time."

The campaign, called Operation Brightspark, has been devised by Inverclyde's social protection team.

Fire crews will alert wardens when they attend a callout and wardens will head towards the incident with their CCTV and bodycam facilities as a matter of priority.

The wardens' priority is to film the surrounding area in a bid to identify the perpetrators of deliberate fireraising or of attacks on crews.

Area Commander Hunt said: "Everything possible is being done to prevent these dreadful attacks against our firefighters.

"We have introduced DNA spit kits and CCTV cameras are being fitted to our fire appliances.

"We are also working closely with Strathclyde Police and Inverclyde Community Wardens to identify those responsible for these attacks."

Strathclyde Police's Charlie Paul, area inspector for Inverclyde, believes alcohol is a factor in this type of incident.

He said: "You only have to look at what happens on street corners when young people are able to access alcohol.

"We have targeted and disrupted the sale of alcohol to young people and taken action against off-licences that have broken the law.

"Community police officers will continue to carry out high-visibility patrols around locally-identified hot spots."

Councillor Robert Moran, Inverclyde Council's convener for safe, sustainable communities, said: "Firefighters continually put their lives on the line in order to protect the public.

"Our community must be aware attacks on our fire crews could result in lives being lost."

Inspector Paul said anyone convicted of an offence against emergency workers will be facing a jail sentence and a fine of up to £5,000.

He said: "We will continue to work closely with our colleagues in the fire service to ensure any incidents of violence against fire crews are fully investigated."

Anyone with information about attacks on fire crews can call Greenock police on 492500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.