BRICKS, stones and bottles are just some of the things Swindon's firefighters have had to face while serving the community.

But despite just 12 recorded attacks on crews in Wiltshire, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) says the figures barely scratch the surface.

It says its members are failing to report threats, intimidation and abuse.

Swindon watch manager Joe Tray says he's noticed an increase in the abuse faced by fire crews in the 30 years he's been in the service.

He said: "Most of the attacks we have suffered have been by youths. I don't think they have any respect for us as a public service and don't realise that we exist purely for the safety and security of our communities."

Joe, 54, has witnessed a number of senseless attacks over the years.

He said: "We have had bottles, stones and bricks hurled at us. We've been sworn at, shouted at - it's unbelievable.

"We aren't a law enforcement body, we're there to protect against and fight fires among other things so when we are hit with rocks that slows us down and creates more danger."

FBU regional secretary John Drake said: "This is a tip of a very nasty iceberg and we need to deal with it before it escalates."

Mr Tray says the reason many incidents don't get reported is because the fire service's priority in dealing with emergencies is far greater than dealing with hooligans.

He said: "When the police are called to an incident and are subjected to abuse they can deal with it all as one incident but if we arrive at a fire and are being sworn at or threatened we have to ignore it and tackle the fire as a priority."

In some areas abuse, threats and intimidation are so frequent they are not reported and simply accepted as part of the job or not worth the paperwork. There are very low numbers of officially recorded attacks in all fire brigades in the region.

The independent report - Easy Targets? - published today, was conducted by the Labour Research Department for the Fire Brigades Union.

Fire crews across the UK report being threatened and even having bricks, bottles, and petrol bombs thrown at them as they fight fires.

Other incidents include ambushes, booby traps and being attacked with lumps of wood and knives.

But Mr Tray says that firefighters in Swindon are more fortunate than most.

He said: "We are luckier than some of the more built-up towns and cities but at the end of the day those who carry out those acts are nothing more than cowards.

"Attacks on us - although serious - are quite rare and we're thankful that we can just get on with our job."