Ulster Unionist MLA Robbie Butler has condemned the latest attacks on the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service by youths in the West Belfast area.

Robbie Butler, who served for 16 years in the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, said:

“Last weekend was the second in a row that rescue appliances from Cadogan Fire Station on Belfast’s Lisburn Road – my old station – have been attacked. It is my understanding that on both occasions the crew were forced to withdraw after the windscreen of the vehicles were smashed.

“These attacks are totally senseless and utterly moronic. I condemn them in the strongest possible terms. Incidents such as these not only endanger the lives of the crew members, but also the communities that they serve.

“From my time in the Fire and Rescue Service I saw repeatedly the importance of crews arriving at the scene of an emergency as quickly as possible. By attacking vehicles and forcing them return to base, these young people are dangerously reducing the emergency response cover available in the area and potentially risking lives as a result.  

“I have contacted both the Interim Chief Fire Officer and the Assistant Chief Fire Officer to inquire about the exact details of the attacks, as well as to offer them my total support in anything that they may need to help reduce any future senseless attacks such as these.

“Last year tougher sentences were introduced in England and Wales to offer greater protection to emergency workers under the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act. It’s about time that attacks on our emergency workers here were similarly clamped down on.

“Anyone, no matter their age, who attacks a fire engine responding to a call, must be held to account for the gravity and selfishness of their actions. There must be a zero-tolerance approach to incidents such as these.”