NEWS: Why would anyone attack men who live for saving lives?

By Mark McLaughlin
Edinburgh Evening News
February 29, 2008

FIRE chiefs today hit out at "mindless and idiotic" yobs who have hurled burning missiles, glass and bricks at crews in four separate attacks this month.

In one attack, a firefighter was so badly injured by a brick he had to be stood down for the night, forcing the entire crew off duty due to safety regulations.

On another call out, the firefighters were chased from one retreat position to the next.

Derelict properties on the Craigmillar regeneration site, on either side of Niddrie Mains Road, have become a hotspot for fireraisers, with firefighters being called to around 20 separate incidents since February 1.

The crews are coming under repeated and sustained attack with the latest incident coming on Wednesday night.

Watch Manager Andy Whitelaw said: "Security at the derelicts is very limited and when we arrive we're faced with a torrent of abuse and violence.

"Last week, one team had to be stood down when a crew member was hit with a brick."

The regeneration site is being developed by Parc Homes but they only have responsibility for the sites that are cordoned off for redevelopment.

A Parc spokesman said: "We have had no incidences of fireraising, theft, violence and very little vandalism within the site boundaries.

"All the problems seem to be centred on the derelict buildings outside the boundaries, which are owned by the council, and like any open site they are very difficult to secure short of providing 24-hour policing."

A council spokeswoman said "every reasonable precaution" has been taken to prevent access to the derelict properties by installing metal windows and doors.

The spokeswoman added: "The unfortunate reality is that no amount of security measures will deter the most determined vandals, but we are working very closely with police colleagues to ensure the area is as secure as is realistically possible."

Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue board convener Mike Bridgman called the attacks "disgusting and unacceptable".

He said: "These mindless idiots will feel the full force of the law if they are caught, and crews have the full backing of Justice Minister Kenny McAskill.

"Firefighters face danger every time they're called out and shouldn't have to worry about being subjected to attack."

A police spokeswoman said a lot of hard work has been put into tackling fire-raising incidents in the Craigmillar area over the last 18 months through the creation of the Newcraighall Initiative.

She added: " The recent spate of offences are being investigated to ensure those responsible are caught."