Research reveals attacks on Hertfordshire firefighters are on the rise with five incidents in Bishop’s Stortford

New data reveals the extent of attacks on firefighters in Hertfordshire, including five incidents involving officers in Bishop’s Stortford.

The research by Legal Expert uncovered 55 counts of aggression during operations across the county – including one attack that left a firefighter requiring hospital treatment.

In response to a Freedom of Information Act request, Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS) shared details of incidents between January 2019 and October 2024.

The 12 incidents reported in 2021 were more than the total for 2019 and 2020 combined (five in each year). There were nine in 2022, 11 in 2023 and 13 in the first 10 months of last year.

The majority of attacks were verbal in nature, with 38 cases reported as such. A further 15 had a physical aspect, while two were not labelled as either.

By far the worst month was August 2021, when firefighters suffered verbal attacks in five incidents.

Hemel Hempstead was the scene of nine attacks, more than in any other part of the county. Stevenage and St Albans had seven apiece, meaning that the three accounted for more than 40% of all incidents.

Bishop’s Stortford was the scene of five attacks, as was Hitchin, where a firefighter was hospitalised in August 2022.

There were three in Borehamwood, two reported cases in Hatfield and Hoddesdon, and one in 15 towns or villages, including Bushey, Potters Bar, Watford and Welwyn Garden City.

Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service Chief Fire Officer Alex Woodman said: “Any attack on a firefighter, whether physical, verbal or threatened is abhorrent.

“Our crews and colleagues work hard to protect communities and save lives, ensuring that we are there to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week - these incidents are unacceptable.

“It is crucial that emergency service personnel are able to undertake their life-saving duties without threats or fears for their physical safety, as a service we are committed to ensuring that our firefighters remain safe and can continue to serve the people of Hertfordshire.”

Before leaving the role this month, Fire Brigades’ Union general secretary Matt Wrack said: “Firefighters must be able to respond to emergencies everywhere without fear of abuse or injury from attacks.

"It is vital that fire and rescue services retain and build trust with local communities, but community engagement projects have been cut while firefighters are sent out with fewer resources and smaller crews.

“Some services are now overseen by police commissioners, which jeopardises public perception of the service as independent and humanitarian.

“We need investment in the fire and rescue service to reduce the risks firefighters face while they are protecting others."