Emergency services under attack

Cleveland Fire Brigade and Cleveland Police have condemned attacks on officers attending rubbish fires in Cass House  Road , Hemlington, last night.

Police attended after reports that fire brigade colleagues were faced with a large group of people setting fires and then throwing items such as bottles and stones at the fire crews attending. Police vehicles were also targeted with a window smashed in one vehicle and a tyre slashed on another.

Carl Boasman, Assistant Chief Fire Officer, said : “This is another example of emergency service workers being attacked whilst protecting the public and it’s totally unacceptable.  We are working with the police and those responsible will be identified and dealt with. We are here to protect our local communities and being under attack when we are carrying out these duties is completely irresponsible and puts our crews and other emergency workers at risk.  We have zero tolerance for such anti-social and dangerous behaviour.”

Local Policing Chief Inspector Daryll Tomlinson, Cleveland Police, said: “Our neighbourhood teams will be increasing their regular patrols in this area and working to disrupt those who are gathering to cause nuisance and criminal damage. We are working with Cleveland Fire Brigade, the local authority and housing providers to address how we can tackle these issues.

“Local people don’t want this kind of behaviour in their community and we will work with them to identify those responsible and take robust action.”