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Fire crews brand streets no-go zone
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| Amberley Street where firefighters are being stoned |
Fire chiefs are refusing to attend incidents in a part of Bradford without police back-up after five consecutive nights of attacks on firefighters.
A number of fires have been deliberately started to lure crews to the Amberley Street area, off Barkerend Road, where they have then been stoned by gangs of youths.
Several fire appliances have been damaged in the attacks though no firefighters have yet been injured.
The crews have been forced to withdraw from the scene until police support arrived.
Bradford Station Commander Martin Day said a minority of people were putting lives at risk, as well as the safety of his officers.
He said: "Unfortunately there have been a number of incidents over the last three or four nights where small fires have been set and we have been called to attend.
"We are going into the area to deal with the call, as we would with any such incident but a mindless minority is using us for target practice.
"The incidents seem to be centred on the Amberley Street area and involve a small number of youths from that area.
"Such attacks can have severe consequences. In one incident we were called to attend in the area someone had set a small fire and we sent two pumps to attend.
"While we were busy dealing with that incident a house-fire started about 400 yards away on Harewood Street and we were unable to attend. Fire crews from Stanningley and Idle had to be called to the scene instead meaning a delay in response time, which could have been very serious.
"In addition there is the obvious risk to my firefighters. We do not want them getting injured when all they are doing is trying to help that community.
"We have had several engines damaged after being hit with bricks in these incidents. This an area where we come and fit smoke alarms free of charge and give fire safety talks. We get on very well with the community but sadly these idiots seem intent on causing trouble."
Councillor Ghazanfer Khaliq, (Lab, Bradford Moor), a former Lord Mayor of Bradford, urged people to turn in those responsible for the attacks.
"These incidents are very serious indeed. We have had similar situations in the past but thought they had died down. These people are putting lives in danger, possibly their own lives or that of their families.
"I will be speaking to the local mosques about this and I think that the local community needs to take strong action. These people must be caught and prosecuted before someone is killed."
Councillor Mohammed Jamil (Con, Bowling and Barkerend) also condemned the attacks.
He said: "The fire and rescue service do excellent work. Just a couple of nights ago there was a house fire at Wellands Terrace and while that house was empty the next door home was full of people. I have no doubt that if it was not for the actions of the firefighters lives could have been lost.
"These incidents of fire crews being pelted with stones are unacceptable. They must not be prevented from carrying out their work in the community."
A West Yorkshire Fire Service spokesman said: "While there are no no-go areas per se, in areas such as Amberley Street where we are facing repeated attack we will seek police assistance. We have been working very closely with community representatives and police to resolve this issue."
A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "Sadly a small minority of individuals do, from time to time, target emergency vehicles attending calls. The dangers of such mindless actions are obvious and we'd seek to bring anyone involved before the courts.
"These people should remember they are attacking the very people they might one day rely on to help them or their families.
"Anyone with information should contact 0845 6060606 or crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."
5:38am Friday 9th November 2007
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CommentPosted by: victor, outer limits on 6:25am Fri 9 Nov 07
those responsible should be birched in public, at school playgrounds if that is where they attend, otherwise in centenary square.
those responsible should be birched in public, at school playgrounds if that is where they attend, otherwise in centenary square.
Posted by: phila9, Bradford on 7:58am Fri 9 Nov 07
Same trouble, same areas, same people. Poor, poor deprived people. Actually they are just mindless idiots who deserve nothing....except a real good beating every time they do something wrong, treat them like they treat others.
Same trouble, same areas, same people. Poor, poor deprived people. Actually they are just mindless idiots who deserve nothing....except a real good beating every time they do something wrong, treat them like they treat others.
Posted by: maxa, bradford on 8:03am Fri 9 Nov 07
at last we have councillors speaking out....now lets see what our community policing will do.
at last we have councillors speaking out....now lets see what our community policing will do.
Posted by: Andy Bairsto, bradford on 8:16am Fri 9 Nov 07
those responsible should be birched in public, at school playgrounds if that is where they attend, otherwise in centenary square.
I would go one further that way they would not reoffend as in Saudia Arabia.
those responsible should be birched in public, at school playgrounds if that is where they attend, otherwise in centenary square.
I would go one further that way they would not reoffend as in Saudia Arabia.
Posted by: John Kelly, Bratfud on 8:47am Fri 9 Nov 07
Would love to see the hoses used as "water cannons". Presumably banned because of Human Rights and Elf n Safety (which of course doesn't apply to firefighters)
Would love to see the hoses used as "water cannons". Presumably banned because of Human Rights and Elf n Safety (which of course doesn't apply to firefighters)
Posted by: hogarth, yorkshire on 10:27am Fri 9 Nov 07
you reap what you sow.
Posted by: Citizen Smith, Bradford on 10:55am Fri 9 Nov 07
These animals are mindless destructive scum. If their own house was on fire who would they be expecting to come and save them. Firefighters have a difficult enough job at the best of times without having to watch their backs for these idiots. One step away from lawlessness.
These animals are mindless destructive scum. If their own house was on fire who would they be expecting to come and save them. Firefighters have a difficult enough job at the best of times without having to watch their backs for these idiots. One step away from lawlessness.
Posted by: badger, Shipley on 2:59pm Fri 9 Nov 07
Its thoroughly disgusting behaviour. I cannot believe that I am reading this. Between these foolhardy idiots and the government discouraging Firefighting Officers as a legitimate career by not paying a deserved wage for a such a demanding job, will we even have a fire service in the future?. It just makes your heart sink. It defies all logic. Capital punishment should be brought back, birching these nutters would be a just reward for their actions. And possibly would be the only method of discouragement that they would understand. Forget the police escorts, why waste more resource on these scumbags, thats just crazy. Just refuse them the emergency services until those responsible are handed over, then punish the perpetrators and the parents. Its the only way to be sure. People like this insult the whole of humanity.
Its thoroughly disgusting behaviour. I cannot believe that I am reading this. Between these foolhardy idiots and the government discouraging Firefighting Officers as a legitimate career by not paying a deserved wage for a such a demanding job, will we even have a fire service in the future?. It just makes your heart sink. It defies all logic. Capital punishment should be brought back, birching these nutters would be a just reward for their actions. And possibly would be the only method of discouragement that they would understand. Forget the police escorts, why waste more resource on these scumbags, thats just crazy. Just refuse them the emergency services until those responsible are handed over, then punish the perpetrators and the parents. Its the only way to be sure. People like this insult the whole of humanity.
Posted by: hogarth, yorkshire on 3:19pm Fri 9 Nov 07
I would think that in some of these cases the firestarters could be charged with arson, and for some people in the past, that has lead to indefinite prison sentences.
for any who are too young, the law should be changed so their parents might be liable to prosecution.
it is the same in other walks of life where people help the public, look at hospital casualty departments, anyone caught assaulting medical staff should be banned from all medical services whatever their illness or injury.
Its time the country was run for decent people, and the rest moved aside.
I would think that in some of these cases the firestarters could be charged with arson, and for some people in the past, that has lead to indefinite prison sentences.
for any who are too young, the law should be changed so their parents might be liable to prosecution.
it is the same in other walks of life where people help the public, look at hospital casualty departments, anyone caught assaulting medical staff should be banned from all medical services whatever their illness or injury.
Its time the country was run for decent people, and the rest moved aside.
Posted by: Colin Brammah, Keighley, West Yorkshire. on 3:08pm Sat 10 Nov 07
[quote][bold]phila9[/bold] wrote:
Same trouble, same areas, same people. Poor, poor deprived people. Actually they are just mindless idiots who deserve nothing....except a real good beating every time they do something wrong, treat them like they treat others.[/quote] Right on the button.
phila9 wrote:
Same trouble, same areas, same people. Poor, poor deprived people. Actually they are just mindless idiots who deserve nothing....except a real good beating every time they do something wrong, treat them like they treat others.
Right on the button.
Posted by: David, Baildon on 5:43pm Sat 10 Nov 07
Citizen Smith,
please don't refer to these mindless morons as animals.Animals have more sense!
Citizen Smith,
please don't refer to these mindless morons as animals.Animals have more sense!
Posted by: GEOFF, BRADFORD on 9:38am Sun 11 Nov 07
[quote][bold]phila9[/bold] wrote:
Same trouble, same areas, same people. Poor, poor deprived people. Actually they are just mindless idiots who deserve nothing....except a real good beating every time they do something wrong, treat them like they treat others.[/quote] SO GO STONE THEM BACK, UNTIL THE PUBLIC MASS PROTEST,NOTHING HAPPENS,COME ON AFTER ALL THIS IS BRADFORD,WHAT DO YOU EXPECT?
phila9 wrote:
Same trouble, same areas, same people. Poor, poor deprived people. Actually they are just mindless idiots who deserve nothing....except a real good beating every time they do something wrong, treat them like they treat others.
SO GO STONE THEM BACK, UNTIL THE PUBLIC MASS PROTEST,NOTHING HAPPENS,COME ON AFTER ALL THIS IS BRADFORD,WHAT DO YOU EXPECT?
Posted by: victor, outer limits on 11:26am Mon 12 Nov 07
More censored posts, i see.
More censored posts, i see.
Posted by: Trevor, Bradford on 11:11am Tue 13 Nov 07
[quote][bold]victor[/bold] wrote:
More censored posts, i see.[/quote] Woody must now be working for the T&A
victor wrote:
More censored posts, i see.
Woody must now be working for the T&A
Posted by: victor, outer limits on 6:09pm Tue 13 Nov 07
[quote][bold]Trevor[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]victor[/bold] wrote: More censored posts, i see.[/quote] Woody must now be working for the T&A[/quote] Woody working? never, Most of my censoring is done at the instigation of the fundamentalist TC. The islamic ogre who is probably plotting our downfall as i write this.
Trevor wrote:
victor wrote: More censored posts, i see.
Woody must now be working for the T&A
Woody working? never, Most of my censoring is done at the instigation of the fundamentalist TC. The islamic ogre who is probably plotting our downfall as i write this.
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