'Unacceptable' Attacks on Police and Firefighters Condemned

A South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) crew from Cwmbran were attacked with bottles after extinguishing a bonfire in the Greenmeadow area of the town on Saturday. The Gwent Police officers who attended the incident were also attacked. Youths also threw stones and shouted abuse at a SWFRS crew from Aberbargoed who were dealing with a grass fire in the Phillipstown area of New Tredegar, Caerphilly.

Condemning the attacks, Gwent PCC Jeff Cuthbert, said: "These attacks are totally unacceptable and this type of criminal behaviour will not be tolerated in Gwent. People who work for the emergency services have very demanding roles and I just can't fathom why anybody would want to physically attack people whose very purpose it is to help keep our communities safe - it just goes beyond reasoning. I would urge members of the public who have any information about the perpetrators at any of the incidents to come forward and inform the police."

Rod Grindlay, the Gwent Police Chief Inspector for the Torfaen, Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent areas, said: "The actions of these individuals are deplorable. Police and Fire Service personnel were just doing their job when confronted by this completely unacceptable behaviour. It is fortunate on this occasion that no one was hurt.

"We are making enquiries to identify those responsible and will ensure that appropriate action is taken against them.  Anyone with information is asked to call 101."