Senior fire officers have warned that lives could be lost due to the increasing number of attacks on firefighters while undertaking their duties.
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service have launched a campaign to protect firefighters after a 16% rise in attacks in South Wales.
The We can’t protect you while we are under attack campaign aims to raise awareness of the attacks that range from verbal abuse to being spat at and having bricks thrown.
Firefighters have also been punched and kicked.
Chief officers have warned that across the country firefighters have been shot at and stabbed.
Chief Fire Officer of South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Huw Jakeway said: “It is absolutely beyond belief that our Firefighters are being attacked so viciously while responding to emergency incidents and trying to save lives.
“Attacking our fire crews has very serious consequences and it cannot and will not be part of anyone’s job to face abuse, threats or attacks.”
The fire service are working with police to prosecute attackers .
The police recently prosecuted a man who had been verbally abusive towards firefighters and blocked entry to his property.