LIVES could be lost as a result of attacks on firefighters, Cleveland fire brigade chiefs have warned.

Two Stockton firefighters, who needed hospital treatment after they were attacked by youths who raided a fire appliance last weekend, have appealed to people in the Primrose Hill area of town to come forward with information.

Firefighter Dave Mawson and crew manager Carl Pearson, from Stockton station, were both punched in the face by youths when they attended a rubbish fire in the back garden of a house in Alder Road, at 5.30am, on Sunday.

The attack happened when two youths tried to steal equipment from the cab and locker of the fire engine. The youths lashed out at the firefighters as they tried to prevent the theft of life-saving defibrillator equipment and a first-aid kit.

Director of community safety, Mark Whelan, said: "Fire crews have been attacked 74 times in the Cleveland area this year and this has to stop.

"We are appealing to the community to help us by providing information to the police about incidents such as this and by ensuring that it is not their children who are involved in violence towards our staff."

Anyone who has any information regarding the latest attack, can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.