§ Mr. HepburnTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many attacks there have been on firemen in the course of their duties in each year since 1997 in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) the North East and (c) South Tyneside; and what plans he has to address this issue. [24411]
§ Dr. WhiteheadStatistics on attacks on firefighters in the course of their duties are not held centrally. The cost of obtaining them would be disproportionate. Attacks are rare and there are procedures in place to protect firefighters when they are carrying out their duties. We do not have any plans to change existing arrangements.