A BRADFORD schoolboy is to appear in court accused of assaulting a firefighter.

The youngster, who is only 13 and cannot be named due to his age, has been charged with the common assault of an emergency worker.

The charge relates to an incident in Rokeby Gardens, Eccleshill, last September.

Crews had been called to a kitchen fire at a house in the street, but had to call police for back up after coming under attack from a group of youths.

They approached fire crews while they were dealing with the blaze and and one firefighter was punched, before the group ran off.

At the time, it was reported that the firefighter was not injured by the punch,

Following the attack, West Yorkshire Police issued a strong warning to the individual responsible.

“This was an incident in which a West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service colleague was blatantly assaulted while trying to keep the public safe,” Detective Chief Inspector Alan Weekes, of Bradford District Police, said.

“Attacks on emergency services will not be tolerated and we are committed to working with our partner agencies and the public to build up information on those involved to ensure that justice is served.”

The boy appeared in court on February 21, where he denied the charge.

He was remanded on unconditional bail until April 27, when he will next appear at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates’ Court.

Bradford has been a ‘hotspot’ for attacks on firefighters over the years, with incidents typically increasing around the Halloween and Bonfire Night period.

According to a report discussed at the last meeting of the West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Authority, which was held on February 24, 49 attacks have been reported in the current financial year - 23 of those were in the Bradford district.

“The chief fire officer re-emphasises that even one attack is one too many and that every assistance and encouragement will be given to the police to bring offenders to court,” said the report.

“Work is continuing with a variety of agencies from the police and district councils to community groups and youth leaders to address these issues.”

Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, has spoken on the issue many times and described any attack on firefighters as “something to be deplored”.

“It is paramount that fire and rescue services provide appropriate support to firefighters who are subject to such attacks,” he said.