COVENTRY MESSAGE BOARD

One area of the city has been identified as a black spot for the incidents



People in Coventry are shouting abuse and throwing missiles at firefighters dealing with emergencies.

In the space of 14 months there were 12 incidents of items being thrown at firefighters. There were 16 incidents of shouted abuse and one incident of harassment.

Longford is a black spot for the attacks.

Crews had abuse shouted at them on seven different call outs in the area. On three call outs to Longford they had things thrown at them as well.

Another problem area was Foleshill where there were three incidents of firefighters being shouted at.

There were single incidents of missiles being thrown in Holbrooks and in Whoberley.

During two separate call outs in the Henley Green area firefighters had things thrown at them.

Firefighters were also shouted at on call outs in Radford, Coundon and Wainbody Wood.

There was a single incident of harassment which happened in Binley.

The incidents all took place between April 2015 and June 2017.

They were revealed in a request to West Midlands Fire Service under the Freedom of Information Act.

West Midlands Fire Brigades Union Brigade Chairman Andrew Scattergood said: “Firefighters are there to keep the public safe, preserve life and perform rescues when people are in need.

“The idea that someone could attack firefighters whilst they go about their lifesaving work is deplorable.

“Our members work every day to protect the public and should not have to put up with this kind of behaviour.”