A fire engine was out of action for several hours on Monday night after its windows were broken by stone throwers in the Shankill area.

The crew had gone to Silvio Street to attend a fire when the attack happened.

The driver's window was smashed, but there were no injuries.

I would like to appeal to the community leaders and local politicians to talk to these young people and tell them to desist from these nightly attacks - before someone is killed

Geoff Bannerman District commander

The fire engine has been taken out of service for repairs to be carried out.

District commander Geoff Bannerman said such attacks were causing major problems.

"These constant attacks have severe resource implications for the Fire Brigade," he said.

"First of all, the appliance in question is off the run. It also reduces fire cover in the city, and a replacement had to be brought in from western command, which is 70 miles away.

"I would like to appeal to the community leaders and local politicians to talk to these young people and tell them to desist from these nightly attacks - before someone is killed."

It is the latest in a series of attacks on the emergency services.

Recent attacks

Fire officers were attacked in the city on Sunday morning during rioting in the Sandy Row area. A fire engine was also damaged.

Two fire engines had to be withdrawn from service temporarily after they were damaged in an attack in Coleraine, County Londonderry, on 21 July.

Ambulance crews in Belfast had demanded armed guards following an attack in the north of the city in which two paramedics were injured.

One of the ambulance crew members suffered head injuries when a brick was thrown through a side window of his vehicle in Ligoniel two weeks ago.

Speaking afterwards, Paddy McGlinchey of the health service union Unison, said some crews wanted to withdraw services during riot situations or civil disturbances unless they were accompanied by armed guards.