FIREFIGHTERS in Bradford were attacked six times between April and July, half of the total number of incidents recorded across West Yorkshire.

Crews from Bradford and Keighley had missiles thrown at them, those from Fairweather Green were attacked with stones and had to withstand aggressive behaviour, and a crew from Shipley was subjected to verbal abuse.

In one of the most high-profile incidents on June 20, a crew from the Fairweather Green station were dealing with a car fire on Lidget Avenue when they came under "aggressive verbal abuse" from a large group of men.

During the altercation, a PCSO was also allegedly physically assaulted and punched to the ground.

The figures are contained within the 2015/16 Performance Management and Activity Report, due to go before West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority tomorrow.

According to the report, the number of serious deliberate fires recorded between April 1 and July 31 stood at 447, up from 401 during the same period last year, an increase of 11.5 per cent.

Deliberate secondary fires, classed as less serious incidents, rose from 1,871 to 2,052, an increase of 9.7 per cent.

Ian Bitcon (pictured), area manager for fire safety, said: "While attacks on firefighters remain, thankfully, low we treat every attack very seriously and where possible we work with police colleagues to ensure a prosecution will take place.

"We are working with partners locally to drive down the number of deliberate fires.

"The number of deliberate secondary fires, such as rubbish or grass fires, is influenced by periods of good weather."