Thursday November 5th 2020
Midlothian’s Police and Fire and Rescue Board has warned any attempts to hamper local emergency services on Bonfire Night tonight will not be tolerated.
The warning came after missiles were thrown at a fire and rescue crew at a bonfire adjacent to Danderhall Crescent, Danderhall on Wednesday evening.
Chair of the Police and Fire and Rescue Board, Councillor Stephen Curran said:
“Thankfully no one was injured and no equipment or vehicles were damaged as Police intervened quickly.
“I’m absolutely appalled our already stretched emergency services are coming under attack when they are out potentially saving lives.
“This is totally unacceptable and the council, Police and Fire and Rescue Service will be working together tonight to make sure incidents like this are dealt with quickly and robustly.
“Anyone caught hampering the work of our emergency services will be dealt with by the Police. If you see someone doing so then please call 101 as quickly as possible.”
Stephen Gourlay, who is the Local Senior Officer for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, said:
“We know it’s a very small minority of people who engage in this type of unacceptable anti-social behaviour, but there’s no question it can impact on our firefighters and Operations Control colleagues as well as our partners.
“A deliberate fire can also put property, resources and indeed lives at risk so it goes without saying that we will always take a zero-tolerance approach to fire-setting and attacks on our crews.”
Chief Inspector Arron Clinkscales, Police Scotland local area commander said:
“We absolutely condemn the attack on the fire crew last night. Officers are currently carrying out inquiries to identify those involved.”
To find out more about enjoying Bonfire Night safely
Tweet Share on Facebook
