McGimpsey Condemns Fire Crew Attacks

The 33 attacks on fire crews attending emergencies in NI over the past year are simply 'too high'.

The Stormont Public Safety Minister, Michael McGimpsey said that such attacks on emergency workers are also putting lives in danger.

He said that six firefighters had been injured and just under £16,000 had been spent on repairing vehicles during the same period.

Referring to the figures from the Health Department revealed on Tuesday he said, "such attacks on firefighters must end".

The Minister said: "Attacks on firefighters and other emergency and healthcare workers are all too common and are completely unacceptable.

"Every day, emergency workers put their lives on the line to protect our communities.

"The people who carry out these cowardly attacks should realise that their actions carry the very real risk that lives could be lost as a result. Vital emergency services can be disrupted.

"I would ask the perpetrators of this violence to think about the consequences of their actions before engaging in this criminal behaviour. They may one day need the help of those emergency services themselves," he said.

"I am encouraged that the number of attacks on firefighters has fallen over the last few years.

"However, they are still too high. It is everyone's responsibility to ensure that staff in the emergency services should be able to go about their vital work without fear of being assaulted," he said, also urging that parents of young people help their children understand the issues involved.

(BMcC/GK)