The non-metropolitan fire and rescue service with the most attacks on firefighters in 2023/24 had three times fewer incidents than the metropolitan service with the most attacks.
The Fire Statistics from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government for 2023/24 show there were 967 attacks on firefighters during operational incidents across 28 metropolitan and 117 non-metropolitan services in England.
The non-metropolitan service with the most incidents was Humberside with 39, while the highest metropolitan services were West Midlands with 142 and Greater London with 140.
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) retained firefighter Phil Bale, who is based in a non-metropolitan area, said: “Generally people are happy to see the fire service because we’re being called to help them.
“I don’t know of anybody who’s been assaulted in the job, but I’ve only been in three years and I’m a retained rather than full-time firefighter.
“We’re quite rural in Berkshire compared with, say, London. It might be higher instances there.”
On average, metropolitan services experienced double the number of physical assaults and five times the number of verbal attacks when compared to non-metropolitan services, with verbal abuse being the most common type of attack for both.
Over the past ten years, the number of attacks on firefighters has increased by 59% and the number of injuries experienced by firefighters has more than tripled.
The number of injuries in 2023/24 was 96, a 26% increase from the previous year, with 14 being serious injuries.
This issue is a growing concern for fire and rescue services alongside cuts to funding in recent years, with central funding from the government continuing to fall below inflation.
Former FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said before leaving the role in January: “Firefighters must be able to respond to emergencies everywhere without fear of abuse or injury from attacks.
“It is vital that fire and rescue services retain and build trust with local communities, but community engagement projects have been cut while firefighters are sent out with fewer resources and smaller crews.
“We need investment in the fire and rescue service to reduce the risks firefighters face while they are protecting others.”
Feature image: Graham Mitchell Photography 2016 (C)
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