MORE needs to be done to protect firefighters from violent attacks, Conservative councillors have said.

The call comes after fire crews were subjected to a string of attacks in Keighley, including one on the town's fire station itself, during the Bonfire Night period.

There were 10 separate attacks on firefighters in the district in the first two weeks of November, compared to just one in the first two weeks of October.

Now two local Conservative councillors have jointly called on Mark Burns-Williamson, West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, to meet with the Fire Authority to put forward an action plan.

Councillor Mark Shaw (Con, Bingley), who sits on the Fire Authority, and Councillor Michael Walls (Con, Queensbury), who sits on the Police and Crime Panel, both said it was clear the current approach wasn't working.

Cllr Shaw said: "There have been dramatic increases in the number of attacks against on-duty firefighters responding to reports of fires.

"This is deplorable in any circumstances, but in an increasing number of cases it is apparent that fires are being lit deliberately to lure fire crews to the locations, so that they can then be ambushed."

But Mr Burns-Williamson (Lab) said he had already raised the matter with Deputy Chief Constable John Robins, who had told him that they were working to identify the perpetrators and prevent further attacks.

He said: "We have also discussed how we can work more closely with the Fire Service in combatting such occurrences, because these incidents in Keighley are totally unacceptable and thankfully quite rare."

Mr Burns-Williamson said the police, fire service and Bradford Council had already teamed up to introduce measures like new CCTV in Lund Park, Highfield and Lawkholme.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Dave Walton, said: "West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service is appalled by the attacks on our firefighters which have taken place in recent weeks.

"These idiotic actions are not only criminal, they also prevent our staff from doing their role of protecting property and life."

Mr Walton said over the past five years, there had been a downward trend in the number of attacks on firefighters.

Dave Gillian, Bradford divisional chairman for the Fire Brigades' Union, said: "We deplore any attacks on our members and would appreciate any measures that would help protect us."

But he raised a concern that if the fire service was to become more closely associated with the police, this could put firefighters at greater risk in some areas.