ASSAULTS ON FIRE CREWS

That this House deplores physical assaults on firefighters while attending incidents; recognises the need to ensure that firefighters are given the respect they deserve, particularly in the dangerous conditions in which they work, often helping to save lives; welcomes initiatives introduced in Tyne and Wear where crews have spit kits so that attackers' DNA can be collected; and calls on the Government to work with the Fire Brigades Union to develop a national strategy to tackle assaults on firefighters which would require all fire authorities to put in place plans to prevent attacks on fire crews, to standardise the collection of statistics on such attacks, to introduce conflict resolution training where violent attacks cannot be avoided and to conduct public awareness advertising campaigns that challenge attacks on firefighters.