Youth Work Sees Fire Attacks Fall

The number of attacks on firefighters in Tayside has more than halved in the past six years. Tayside Fire and Rescue said working with children as young as five had led to the reduction.

Firefighters visit primary and secondary schools to educate pupils about the service, as well as getting involved with youth organisations.

Last year, there were eight attacks on firefighters in Tayside, compared to more than 170 in Strathclyde.

Tayside Fire and Rescue staff visit primary one pupils as part of their programme of familiarisation.

It continues into secondary school, where students are warned against making hoax calls.

The service also brings youngsters with troubled backgrounds into fire stations, as well as running a young firefighters scheme.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Jimmy Campbell told BBC Scotland the scheme had made a huge difference to attitudes to the fire service.

He said: “Last year, they were throwing stones at you. Now we’re on first name terms.”

However, he warned any attacks on firefighters were unacceptable.