Attacks campaign

In the first six months of 2006, firefighters in Bolton were attacked 23 times whilst trying to carry out their job and protect the local community. As a result, in July 2006, the fire service in Bolton ran a campaign designed to highlight the issue.  

Campaign posters were produced depicting a firefighter receiving first aid for injuries following an attack (see pictured). They were designed to raise awareness to the local community that emergency workers were being subjected to such attacks by a small minority of mindless individuals. The posters were distributed around Bolton in public places such as doctor's surgeries and libraries.

Letters to the local community
Running alongside the campaign, a new policy was put in place which meant that local residents would receive a letter highlighting individual attacks on firefighters in their community. The letter also contained contact details so the residents could call anonymously if they had any information about who carried out the attack.

Youth programmes
The fire service also run a number of programmes within the borough of Bolton designed to engage young people, educating them about the work of the fire service and producing peer group ambassadors within the communities where attacks take place. These include a Fire Service Cadet Scheme which is organised from Farnworth Fire Station and acting as the delivery partner with the Prince’s Trust scheme within the Bolton area.