FIREFIGHTERS are calling for a national strategy in Wales to deal with a rising number of attacks on crews.

A Fire Brigades Union study has revealed fires are sometimes started to lure firefighters into ambushes where they are abused and attacked.

It is a problem affecting crews throughout the country, including South Wales.

The FBU research highlights attacks in Pontypool, Ely in Cardiff, Aberfan, Gilfach Goch and Merthyr Tydfil in 2004.

Dick Pearson, the FBU's regional secretary, said: "This is not an isolated problem confined to London or Greater Manchester but affects the whole of the UK

"There is the general abuse and threats right through to missiles, bottles and bricks being thrown and members of the public coming up and tampering and interfering with equipment.

"It's frightening.

"Even when you are attacked by kids of seven, eight or nine, if you have a group of them around you trying to rob things off you or throwing stones, it's a pretty ugly environment.

"There have been incidents of lines actually being cut - although not in Wales.

"In other parts of the country, firefighters have been shot at with BB guns and air rifles and there are incidents of them being called to blocks of flats where fridges have been dropped on them."

The FBU said 1,200 attacks were reported in Northern Ireland in the last three years, while 388 were reported in Scotland in 2004.

In England and Wales in the nine-month period to the end of January 2005, from data from 18 of 50 brigades, 393 attacks were reported.

Mr Pearson said: "There has to be some kind of central co-ordination, joined up action, over initiatives to tackle this problem.

"In Scotland there is legislation making it a distinct criminal offence to attack an emergency service worker.

"We are seeking the support of the Welsh Assembly and Welsh MPs to move this law through.

"It is one of a range of options and initiatives but simply making it against the law is not going to change the mindset of these individuals."