Striking firefighters 'warned off'

Striking firefighters have been asked to stay away

A Midlands fire brigade has provoked controversy by asking striking firefighters not to leave picket lines to attend emergencies.

The Hereford and Worcester force is worried interference from the protesters could hinder the work of military fire crews.

The region's chief fire officer, David O'Dwyer, said the presence of striking firefighters at major incidents could cause legal and health and safety problems.

But Fire Brigades Union members said they will ignore the request and continue to attend fires and accidents.

There are fears firefighters could get in the way

The row broke out after a memo circulated to West Mercia Police implied the firefighters were not welcome at major incidents.

It was feared the chain of command could become confused if both military and civilian firefighters tried to tackle a blaze.

But striking officers reacted angrily to the news on Wednesday.

One firefighter told the BBC: "I think this is just another leaked memo from the government, a piece of propaganda aimed at undermining us."

Another said: "We are very very disappointed with our chief fire officer."

A spokesman for West Mercia Police said their officers were only used as an escort for Green Goddesses, and that it was up to military firefighters to decide who attended incidents.

Meanwhile, firefighters in Hampshire said they are the first in the country to picket colleagues at a part-time fire station.

Military crews are providing fire cover

Three members of the FBU stationed at Whitchurch hope their presence will stop retained crews answering 999 calls.

In another development a teenager from Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, has been charged with making a hoax 999 calls during the strike.

The 16-year-old was arrested on Tuesday. He has been charged with being a public nuisance and will appear before Gateshead Youth Court on 3 December.

And in Norfolk striking officers denied acting as "flying pickets" after their chief fire officer accused them of intimidation.

Richard Elliott condemned a gathering at a retained station in Attleborough as "a mass picket by flying pickets".