As Guy Fawkes Night gets closer County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service are urging people to help them keep it safe for everyone - and that includes the fire crews. There have been several recent attacks on fire crews whilst attending illegal fires and they are asking that local residents help get the message out to the community to stop these people using ‘bonfire night’ as an excuse for anti-social behaviour.

Andrew Allison, the Service’s Senior Community Safety Officer, said, “Our crews extinguish illegal fires because they are potentially dangerous to local residents and the fire setters themselves.  Fires can spread very quickly and the people lighting these fires often have no means of putting them out.  On many occasions we find that alcohol is being consumed and it is only luck or the intervention of the Fire Service that prevents someone getting hurt.  To attack or hinder our emergency crews is an offence and we want the public to identify the perpetrators to the Police so action can be taken to prevent future occurrences.”  Andrew continued, “County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service adopt a zero tolerance approach to attacks on crews and our fire appliances are fitted with CCTV so we will take every step possible to catch the individuals involved.”

The Service encourages everyone to have fun but stay safe by attending organised displays.  Andrew stated, “Our advice is always to attend an organised display as it is safer and the display will be much better than anything you could produce at home.  If you do use fireworks at home always follow the advice on the firework and stick to the firework code.  We have lots of advice on our website as well as details of organised displays.”

Andrew concluded by saying, “For most people this time of year is an enjoyable one but there is always a minority who seek to use it as an excuse for anti-social behaviour.  Our message is that any attack on our crews will not be tolerated and, in partnership with the Police, will be thoroughly investigated.”