Fire crews face 'constant' attack

Watch Commander Derek Shanks on the attack

The constant threat of attack is stopping firefighters from doing their jobs, they have warned.

The claims came after several crew members were pelted with bricks while answering a call in west Scotland.

They came under attack while trying to put out a rubbish fire in Dumbarton in the early hours of Tuesday.

Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service Commander Ian Ramage said it was disappointing that crews were not safe from "mindless thugs".

Youths hurled bricks at the five firefighters as they tackled the blaze, on Dumbarton's Hill Street, at 0440 BST.

The crew was forced to stop work while police back-up arrived, although no arrests were made.

Mr Ramage said: "As an experienced fire officer with 28 years' service, and also being a parent myself, I find it quite unbelievable that parents would allow their children to be out at this time of the morning."

He said the problem was keeping firefighters from doing their jobs, adding: "Crews still have to face constant threats of physical or verbal abuse whilst attempting to protect life and property from the effects of fire."