THE Manchester Evening News Protect our Heroes campaign was praised as MPs voted for tough new laws to guard firefighters from yobs.

They gave a second reading to a Bill promoted by Labour MP Alan Williams - who had complained about the "mindless vandalism" and "grotesque bent minds" of hooligans who attack 999 workers.

The M.E.N's powerful campaign for a new law won praise from Mr Williams as he wound up the Commons debate. Mr Williams said: "The Manchester Evening News has been campaigning on this for months and led the country with their campaign."

He said this would be recognised in the heart of his legislation. And Worsley Labour MP Barbara Keeley, who said there had been 350 attacks on firefighters in Greater Manchester in the last two years, also praised the paper.

Effective

She said: "The M.E.N has run an effective campaign to focus attention on this issue and I commend the paper and its reporter Neal Keeling for doing so."

She went on to tell MPs it was clear that Salford had a particular problem with attacks on firefighters, a record she would like to lose as soon as possible.

She said: "A recent example from Salford, highlighted by the M.E.N, concerned a fire engine being vandalised and burgled as the fire crew worked to rescue a woman and her 12-year-old son from their burning house.

"To damage a fire engine while the crew is working to save lives is to seriously risk loss of human lives."

She complained of "callous and chilling" attacks on firefighters, with crews lured into cul-de-sacs then bombarded with bricks.

Troubled

She praised the "young firefighters" scheme in Greater Manchester which is aimed at discouraging troubled teenagers from attacking emergency workers.

Swansea MP Mr Williams, who promoted the Bill, said it would make it a specific offence to assault or impede 999 workers such as firemen and ambulance crews.

He has done a deal with the government, who said they would back his Bill providing he amended certain parts.

If it becomes law, after going through a committee session, there will be a fine of up to '1,000 for impeding emergency workers, including nurses and doctors, backed up by a package of other measures to deal with young yobs.

Mr Williams said there was mindless arrogance behind the attacks.

Hidden

He told MPs there had been "warped" attempts to ambush fire crews, including razor blades hidden behind banisters in burning premises. Mr Williams said: "Live electricity cables were fixed to the inside of a door handle.

"Even more grotesque is that holes in floors were covered with mats so that they would fall through."

Winding up the debate, Home Office minister Fiona Mactaggart announced that fire engines in Greater Manchester were to be fitted with security cameras to help in bringing to justice those who attack the crews.

She said there was already an offence of obstructing or interfering with a fire or rescue service employee but that had proved laborious to prosecute.

She said the government would support a specific offence of impeding emergency workers who were doing their jobs.

With the help of Tory MPs, the Bill was approved and now goes for detailed consideration in committee.

Tweet