MORE than half of attacks on firefighters across West Yorkshire between April and October occurred within the Bradford district, new figures have revealed.

A total of 34 attacks on firefighters were recorded during the seven-month period, 20 of which (59 per cent) were aimed at Bradford and Keighley crews.

The total number of incidents across the county is predicted to rise to 58 for the year to April 2015, potentially down on the 76 attacks recorded during the year ending in March 2014.

The fire service said the frequency and severity of the incidents, however, should not be deemed insignificant.

A spokesman said: "Even one attack is one too many, and every assistance and encouragement will be given to the police to bring offenders to court.

"Work is continuing with a variety of agencies, from the police and district councils, to community groups and youth leaders, to address these issues."

The nature of the attacks range from crews having fireworks and other 'missiles' thrown at them, being attacked with stones, and being the subject of physical assault, aggressive behaviour, or verbal abuse.

The Bradford crews have been attacked on seven occasions since April, including one incident in September when a group of approximately 20 youths, aged 12 to 17, threw stones, pieces of wood, and a bottle, while firefighters were dealing with a rubbish fire at Parkside Road recreation ground.

Firefighters from Fairweather Green were subjected to five attacks during the seven-month period, including three incidents in two nights in Bonn Road, Heaton, in October, where a group of youths threw stones and bottles as crews were dealing with a series of repeated fires in the same area.

The crew from Keighley fire station only suffered one attack in the seven months to October, but were subjected to two nights of disruption on Bonfire Night and Mischief Night, not included in the most recent figures, which forced the station to shut on November 5.

Fireworks were aimed at the crew, who also had bricks and eggs hurled at them in the station's back yard as they tried to refill an engine.

A group of youths also tried to blind the crew with laser pens in Devonshire Park, in two nights of behaviour branded "reckless" and "idiotic" by fire chiefs.

Bradford Councillor Gill Thornton, (Lab, Royds), who sits as chairman of the WYFRS Human Resources Committee, said: "It is really upsetting that a small minority of predominantly young people still think it is funny and clever to attack people in uniform trying to provide a service and help people.

"We are working closely with youth services and the police to try and increase a sense of responsibility among these groups, but local communities all need to work together to try to solve the problem."

But David Williams, West Yorkshire Secretary for the Fire Brigades Union, said attempts to engage with disaffected youths had "not worked at all".

"The attacks are a worrying statistic, and I'm really concerned that Bradford has the highest number," he said.

"But as for the multi-agency work with police and other emergency services, the youths just see it as a chance to hit back against authority."