Cameras would be linked to a CCTV system in Corby

Crews in Corby, Northamptonshire, are installing cameras on two appliances to try and prevent firefighters from being attacked.

Corby's station commander Clive Taplin said on occasions the crews are being lured out by deliberate fires and are then pelted with stones.

He now has �16,000 to buy two cameras to link into the town's CCTV system to try and prevent further incidents.

Lights damaged

"There have a number of occasions when fire engines have been stoned and firefighters threatened at the scene of a fire," he said.

"In the last seven days a fire engine's lights were damaged and a window put in by a brick and the firefighters threatened.

"And last night we were called out to five small fires and five times we were attacked."

Mr Taplin added the police had been very helpful, but there was a need to catch the attackers and the people who start fires.

Catch the attackers

"There are people who are starting fires to try and ambush firefighters.

"I am hoping the cameras will deter attackers and I am also hoping we can get catch some people who make threats or start fires."

Cameras were used on Corby's fire engines in 2001 and did help to reduce the number of incidents, said Mr Taplin.

But the camera was on loan and had to be returned to the Corby Camera Safety Partnership.

The partnership has now secured �4,000 towards new cameras while Northamptonshire Fire Brigade has promised �12,000.

Mr Taplin will meet with suppliers at the end of August.