Date: 2/2/07
Author: Neal Keeling
Source: Manchester Evening News

HI-tech CCTV systems are to be fitted to most of Greater Manchester's fire engines after successfully catching arson suspects and yobs attacking fire crews on camera in a pilot project.

The pilot scheme in Salford and Rochdale saw spy-in-the cab cameras fitted to five vehicles.

Their success, including filming an arson attack on a business and footage of a youth attacking a fire crew in Rochdale, which was used to prosecute him, has prompted fire service bosses to spread the system county-wide.

Launched today, the move is aimed at curbing attacks on firefighters - which are the worst in Britain.

Last year, there were 248 reported attacks on crews in Greater Manchester. They have been shot at, threatened with knives and bombarded with missiles.

Attacks

The highest number of attacks was in Salford (62), followed by Manchester North (44) and Bolton (40). Now 43 engines will be fitted with four cameras covering all sides of the vehicle. Footage of attacks will be passed to police.

County Fire Officer Barry Dixon said: "It is sad that we have to go to these lengths to safeguard our firefighters, who are just trying to carry out their job of protecting the public." Local authorities in Greater Manchester have contributed '81,000 towards the '128,500 cost of the cameras so far. It is hoped eventually to cover all the engines.

The new Emergency Workers (Obstruction) Bill, which will make it an offence to `obstruct or hinder' emergency service workers, was backed by the M.E.N. through our Protect Our Heroes campaign.

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