Emergency workers in fear after spate of attacks

EMERGENCY response workers are living in fear of their lives it was claimed yesterday, with almost 80 physical attacks on firefighters and ambulance drivers so far this year.

In some cases, the attacks were reportedly “well planned and orchestrated”. Fire and ambulance services said they have been called to false emergencies at cul de sacs only to find a group of men waiting there to ambush them.

They are seeking tougher laws that would make it a specific crime to attack one of their members while on duty.