Spy cameras are to be fitted to front-line fire engines across the Bradford district in a bid to crack down on crime.

The 'silent witness' cameras will be used to film thugs who ambush fire fighters and identify arsonists caught fleeing the scene of a blaze.

And the fire service also intends to use the footage to relay images from the scene, help with training and create a video log book of local hot spots and high risk areas.

The cameras were first fitted to appliances in Huddersfield and Illingworth, Halifax, in June 1997 where they have been successful in helping to convict a young arsonist and identify youths who attacked a fire crew.

Now the rest of the West Yorkshire region, including stations in the Bradford district, looks set to benefit from the new technology thanks to the fire service's £10,000 sponsorship deal with Cornhill Insurance.

Station officer Barry Roberts of Bradford Central fire station welcomed the move. He said: "At the end of the day we are here to help the public, but we do get a lot of abuse.

"Every time you go out on a call you never really know what to expect. Once the cameras are fitted they can be used to pinpoint troublemakers. Once we catch them on film the footage can be used as evidence.

"It is a sad reflection on society that we are having to use these deterrents ."

And Phil Toase, assistant chief officer of West Yorkshire Fire Authority, added: "Attacks on firefighters are common in certain areas - there have even been cases of deliberate ambush.

"People should be in no doubt that mindless acts of violence against firefighters will not be tolerated."

The cameras will be fitted to appliances in Bradford over the next few weeks. Individuals filmed committing any kind of offence will be reported.

In April 1997 fire fighters in Bradford and Keighley revealed they were being lured to locations across the district to be met with a barrage of sticks and stones.

When they drove off youngsters were hitching a ride on the back of appliances and trying to release the stored water. In a bid to combat the attacks appliances were fitted with reinforced glass and one fireman was designated to walk behind the engine for 100 yards to make sure no children jumped on.

And in November 1996 firemen were confronted by gangs of youths hurling bottles and bricks in Manningham. It was a repeat of the attacks on fire crews which took place in the summer of 1995 when riots erupted.

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