THERE were four attacks on firefighters in the two counties in 2006 and 2007, according to a report by the Fire Brigades Union, however one person believes the figure could be higher.

The figures, obtained by the union using the Freedom of Information Act, reveal attacks on Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service staff have stayed at the same level since 2005 and 2006.

However, Jim Richards, secretary for Hereford and Worcester's fire brigade union, said although the figures were low, the true numbers of assaults were probably a lot higher.

"Generally firefighters do not like to put this kind of thing out," he said.

"They all suffer abuse on a daily basis and it is thought of as part of the job.

"I have been in a fire engine in Kidderminster that has had bricks and stones thrown at it and I have suffered verbal abuse from children aged eight to 10 years old, and you will find older teenagers in the background egging them on. I did not report it, you just accept it.

"Everybody knows about assaults on paramedics and always assume it does not happen to us. It is a lack of reporting by firefighters themselves.

"Sometimes when they do report it it is viewed cynically by others. Unless members are saying this is happening we cannot do anything."

Chief fire officer, Paul Hayden, said: "Any sort of attack on an emergency service worker is completely unacceptable as it seriously impacts on both their ability to do their jobs effectively and, even more worryingly, on those who require an emergency response.

"Whilst attacks on our staff in Hereford and Worcester are thankfully less common than those suffered in other fire and rescue services, we remain vigilant in respect of the safety of our staff."

The union's Worcestershire Chairman, Carl Horsborough, said the brigade was lucky. "We do suffer attacks, but I think we are lucky we do not suffer the onslaught other forces across the country do," he said.

"The fact that we go out and do education in the schools, we talk about making false alarms and attacks on firefighters and it is building a rapport up with children of a young age.

"If they have anti-social behaviour in them it is not directed towards us. I think this may have a lot to do with it."