Station plastered with 'scab' posters

The posters accused firefighters of being "scabs"

Police and the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) are investigating after a station used by retained firefighters was covered with posters calling it a 'Scabzone'.

More than 20 posters were pasted to the inside and outside of Tetbury fire station in Gloucestershire.

Although it was empty when the damage was done on Sunday, the station is used by retained firefighters who were on standby at the time.

The attack has been condemned by local councillors and the Retained Firefighters' Union (RFU).

Intimidation attempt

Gloucestershire Police are looking into the incident after receiving a complaint of criminal damage from the county council.

County councillor Jeremy Hilton said: "These posters were clearly designed to intimidate retained firefighters who remain available to help their local communities.

"I am extremely disappointed to find one or two people appear to be resorting to particularly nasty tactics.

"We will not tolerate this kind of intimidation and have asked the police to rigorously investigate the matter."

Tam McFarlane, FBU regional secretary for the south west, said the matter was being investigated by the union.

Nasty tactics

He added: "The FBU does not condone in any way whatsoever anything like that - we are fighting for fair pay for all firefighters."

But a spokesman for the Retained Firefighters' Union said it was not an isolated incident.

He said: "Unfortunately this is happening all over the country. Without question this is a deliberate attempt to intimidate retained firefighters.

"RFU members are proud of their stance and it will take more than a few stickers to intimidate them."