WEST Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) has seen 666 attacks on firefighters in just over four years.
This comes as the Fire Brigades Union calls for more protection for those on the front line.
Data collected by Legal Expert has revealed the extent of violence against firefighters in the West Midlands, as its fire service reported almost 700 counts of aggression during operations.
In response to a Freedom of Information request, WMFS shared details of 666 violent acts between April 2020 and November 2024.
Assaults against active firefighting staff are on the rise in the region, with logged incidents increasing by over a third between 2021 and 2023.
There were 90 incidents in 2020, accounting for the period between April and December. From 135 counts of violence in 2021, WMFS recorded 157 in 2022 and 180 in 2023.
There were 104 acts of aggression against firefighters in 2024, according to figures which covered all reports up until the end of October.
WMFS kept a record of two occasions – one in October 2020 and one in August 2024–where violence left at least one firefighter with an injury. Fortunately, neither incident led to a staff member being incapacitated.
Both occurred in the Coventry and Solihull region, although the area of command saw the fewest total assaults overall.
The most, 142, occurred in Birmingham North. The area encompasses fire stations for the likes of Sutton Coldfield, Ladywood, Handsworth and Aston. Cases in Birmingham North accounted for 42 per cent of all physical assaults.
In Birmingham South, which includes Northfield, Kings Norton and Sheldon stations among others, there were 131 incidents reported.
The Black Country was home to 139 incidents.
West Midlands firefighters have reported being assaulted in a non-physical manner while working, with WMFS noting down 449 cases of verbal abuse over a four-and-a-half year period.
There were a further 66 cases of threatening behaviour, plus 15 cases of harassment and 12 occasions where firefighters were deliberately obstructed.
A total of 38 incidents saw members of the public come into physical contact with firefighters.
Additionally, reports of missiles being aimed at firefighters were called in on 63 occasions.
A further 15 cases were logged where weapons were present, while one case in June 2020 saw firefighters targeted by a laser.
Before leaving his role in January, Fire Brigades Union general secretary Matt Wrack called for greater trust and protection for firefighters when responding to the data collected by Legal Expert.
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.”
