POLICE in Bradford are being urged to get tough with gangs of missile-throwing youngsters after it was revealed there were 13 separate attacks on firefighters in the district during Bonfire Night.

The incidents, mostly involving the throwing of fireworks and stones, accounted for two thirds of attacks on firefighters in the whole of West Yorkshire.

Riot police were targeted in one incident, with rocks being thrown at them by a large gang of young men during a disturbance in Pollard Lane, Undercliffe.

It prompted local councillors to describe the area as appearing “lawless”.

Fire and police chiefs condemned the attacks, and councillors called on police to arrest the hooligans responsible.

No arrests have been made so far following the Undercliffe incident.

Chief Superintendent Dickie Whitehead, in charge of the police operation to keep communities safe on Bonfire Night, said work would be carried out “over the coming days to thoroughly investigate what has taken place and identify those who committed offences.

EDITOR'S COMMENT: Bonfire Night scenes were an utter disgrace

“Both the police and fire service exist to keep people safe, and those who think it is acceptable to target the emergency services while they are trying to protect residents can expect to face the full force of the law.”

West Yorkshire Chief Fire Officer, Simon Pilling, said it was sad that the actions of a minority had reflected badly on what was overall a well enjoyed weekend.

He declared: “Any attack on a firefighter is despicable and to see twice as many as last year on Bonfire Night is a concern. We appeal to our partners and the public to make a stand against these attacks and join us in our call for an end to such behaviour.

“Fortunately, none of our firefighters have been injured, but that does not deter from the fact that these attacks were mindless, reckless, and completely unacceptable.”

Mr Pilling said the fire service would be working closely with the police to gather evidence with a view to seeking prosecutions.

West Yorkshire Fire Service received more than 1,000 calls between 4pm on November 5 and 8.30 the next morning. Firefighters attended 265 incidents, including 183 fires in the open. There were 19 attacks on firefighters – twice last year’s figure – 13 of which were in Bradford.

Six of the attacks were in BD3, which includes Undercliffe and Barkerend, while three were in BD9, two in BD7, one in BD8 and one in BD21.

David Williams, secretary for the Fire Brigades Union in West Yorkshire, said; “One worrying thing is that a couple of nights before it was quiet.

“It suggests this might have been an orchestrated effort. It doesn’t seem an off-the-cuff event, it seems more orchestrated and well managed. That is quite worrying. I hope this year is just a blip.

“There seems to be a desire for unrest and I’m not sure where it’s coming from. It is frightening how quickly things like this can snowball.

“People need to see that we are not willing to tolerate this.

“I don’t know what we need to do in these communities. It just seems we are not reaching out to the young people here.

“I don’t know if it’s because we haven’t recruited since 2009, and have missed out on a generation of young people becoming firefighters.

“Because of cuts community work is getting squeezed. If we get out and talk to these kids and start recruiting from these areas that may help.”

Councillor Rachel Sunderland (Lib Dem, Bolton and Undercliffe) told how car had been “egged” on Halloween while driving through Undercliffe, after being alerted by residents to gangs of young people hurling missiles in Undercliffe Lane.

She said: “There must have been 45 to 50 young adults. They were wearing Guy Fawkes masks and were running into the road, throwing fireworks, stones and eggs. We were able to drive through but one of the eggs hit the car.

“It was quite scary. It felt lawless, like that group owned that section of the road. It was much more than throwing fireworks, it was a civil order issue.”

Cllr Sunderland said she was disgusted by the attacks on the firefighters and said she was surprised nobody had been arrested over the Pollard Lane incident, adding: “If they have evidence people were breaking the law, they need to be arrested and dealt with. Residents shouldn’t have to live in fear. It is the police’s responsibility to maintain peace and challenge criminal behaviour when they see it.”

Councillor David Ward (Lib Dem, Bolton and Undercliffe), said: “Events like this really damage the impression of an area. It gives an impression of lawlessness, and the majority of the residents here will be hugely disappointed with that.

“If you are a parent of one of these young people you have to be asking some really serious questions. We need some arrests and strong messages sent out about the consequences of acting in this way.”

Asked why there had been no arrests, and if there would be, West Yorkshire Police would only say: “Inquiries are continuing with partners in Bradford District to identify those who were responsible for the disorder.”

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