A zero-tolerance policy is needed to halt thugs behind 500 attacks on Northern Ireland fire crews in the last year, union chiefs claimed tonight.
After talks with Security Minister Shaun Woodward in Belfast, representatives warned they would lobby until the ambushes ceased.
Jim Barbour, a senior Fire Brigades Union official, said: "We will be keeping the pressure on the minister over the next weeks and months to deliver concrete, tangible ways of dealing with the problem.
"We are looking at prosecution and conviction where appropriate; there needs to be a clear message sent to the perpetrators." The urgent need for action was stressed a week after firefighters were attacked in west Belfast.
Up to 20 youths pelted crew members as they tried to put out burning rubbish on the Black's Road. Mobile phones were even used to film the attack, which left one fireman in hospital with head injuries.
Mr Woodward, who has appealed for the public to support the service, spent nearly 90 minutes listening to the FBU's concerns at the Stormont Castle meeting.
"We have evidence showing there have been in and around 500 attacks or instances of civil disturbances involving fire fighters in the last year," claimed Mr Barbour.
PA