Hose cut in teen attack on crews

The fire engine was taken out of service for hose repairs

Rampaging teenagers attacked firefighters and cut through the hose on a fire engine, say Essex Police.

The gang threw full beer cans at crews dealing with a fire on a children's playground in Tilbury on Friday, a spokesman said.

He said police suspected that the teenagers were responsible for starting the fire and damaging cars parked in three streets nearby.

Sgt Jo Taylor said: "This was despicable behaviour."

The fire engine hose was cut with a knife, and the engine had to be taken in for repairs.

"It put lives at risk by taking a fire engine out of service... it could have had awful consequences," Sgt Taylor added.

The spokesman said: "We are appealing to the community to provide information to help us apprehend this gang of rampaging teenagers.

"We are determined to find whoever is responsible."