Attacks against fire crews are on the increase

The number of incidents rose by 14% to 162 in the Strathclyde area over the last year, with almost half the cases involving stones being thrown.

Councillor Joe Lowe, the convener of Strathclyde Fire and Rescue's board, said many of those carrying out attacks on firefighters were children.

"Parents should see it as their duty to control their children," he said.

"Communities generally should do everything they can to help the police to tackle this dreadful behaviour."

In the 12 months to the end of March there were 80 stoning incidents, a rise of 17 and 41 cases where other missiles were thrown.

Firefighters are being viciously targeted while they are doing their jobs to protect our communities Councillor Joe Lowe

There were seven incidents involving weapons, 19 cases of verbal abuse and 15 other types of incident, such as vandalism.

Mr Lowe said police and the fire service could only do so much to halt attacks.

"Yet again we find that firefighters are being viciously targeted while they are doing their jobs to protect our communities," he said.

"Attacks on firefighters have been highlighted by the introduction of the Emergency Workers Act and also by publicity in the media.