AN MP has slammed thuggish youths who attacked a fire crew while they were attending a call.

The incident occurred on Thursday night when firefighters from Odsal were called to an arson attack.

Watch Commander Andy Horsley said: “We were called to Wibsey Park to a fire in the open.

“Youths set fire to a bench. As we approached they ran away, gesticulating.”

He said objects were then thrown at firefighters while they were tackling the blaze.

Watch Commander Horsley said the youths set fire to the bench again, so firefighters had to go back, and then went on to cause another fire. Police were called to the scene.

He slammed arson as “unacceptable” and added: “Then attacking firefighters is even worse.”

“I don’t understand why they want to do that to us.”

He said he hoped the culprits would feel the full force of the law.

A crew from Bradford fire station had to deal with a house fire on Odsal station’s patch, while the Odsal crew was tied up with the other incident.

“Had we not been wasting our time and being attacked by youths, we would have made a quick response to the house fire,” Watch Commander Horsley said.

“That’s important to us – that we respond as quickly as possible.”

A West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “Whilst on this occasion no staff were injured, and no equipment damaged, the fact remains that our staff were attacked whilst simply doing their job.

“This is unacceptable and we are sure that the entire community will join us in condemning the idiotic actions of those responsible.”

Bradford South MP Judith Cummins added: “I utterly condemn attacks such as this on our firefighters.

“The fact that they were delayed from attending another incident shows these thugs are endangering not only emergency service workers, but the public as well.

“Just last week in Parliament I was speaking in support of a new law which will result in tougher sentences for people who think this sort of behaviour is acceptable.

“Firefighters and police officers deserve our utmost respect and the full protection of our laws.”

The Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Bill is to progress to the House of Lords and looks to bring in harsher penalties against those who attack blue light workers.

West Yorkshire Deputy Chief Fire Officer Dave Walton welcomed the news.

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He said: “We are delighted that the bill received such overwhelming support in the House of Commons and that it has passed through to the House of Lords.

“This is a significant landmark and a step closer to our firefighters, and indeed our blue light colleagues, receiving the protection they deserve as they go about their roles protecting the community.

“We thank all of the MPs who have given this Bill their backing.”