BRIGADE bosses yesterday warned firefighters will soon be killed by thugs luring them into ambushes. North Wales Fire and Rescue Service yesterday backed up a union study showing 40 attacks a week on firefighters throughout the UK. North Wales assistant chief fire officer Colin Hanks said there have been 23 assaults on his fire crews since April 2003. Bricks, bottles and missiles have been thrown, while fires have been set deliberately to lure crews into ambushes. Mr Hanks said: "My concerns are that eventually this anti-social behaviour will result in serious injury or death to a firefighter, or a member of the public if firefighters are prevented from doing their jobs during these attacks. "At some incidents, crews have to contend with various items being thrown at them, or having their equipment damaged, such as smashed fire-engine windscreens." He said the situation is worst in Wrexham, Conwy, and Holyhead, with each town having recorded four incidents of violence and abuse directed at firefighters. Some crews have had to radio police for help after being attacked. However, during the last 12 months there has been no significant incidents as the fire service have being going out to communities and youth groups as well as setting up the North Wales Arson Reduction Team (Nwart) with North Wales Police. Fire Brigades Union general secretary Andy Gilchrist said: "The number and ferocity of the attacks appears to be getting worse. A young boy in Scotland died in one attack and it is only a question of time before a firefighter is killed." | 
