A WARNING has been issued to troublemakers in the run up to Bonfire Night after fire crews were attacked twice in the space of an hour.

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service has warned that troublemakers will face prosecution after two crews came under attack on Tuesday night as they tried to put out illegal bonfires.

In the first incident, a laser pen was shone at the driver of a fire engine at around 7.45pm in Wheatley Hill.

Just over an hour later, youths pelted a crew with stones and mud as they extinguished a bonfire in Crook.

They follow two incidents last week, one in which a laser pen was shone at a crew in Bishop Auckland and a second in which members of the public were verbally aggressive to staff in the Chester-le-Street area.

Traditionally, the number of attacks on crews peaks on Bonfire Night itself, and managers have issued a stark warning that troublemakers will face prosecution.

Andrew Allison, the Service’s Senior Community Safety Officer, said, "Our crews extinguish illegal fires because they are potentially dangerous to local residents and the fire setters themselves.

"Fires can spread very quickly and the people lighting these fires often have no means of putting them out.

"On many occasions we find that alcohol is being consumed and it is only luck or the intervention of the Fire Service that prevents someone getting hurt.

"To attack or hinder our emergency crews is an offence and we want the public to identify the perpetrators to the police so action can be taken to prevent future occurrences."

He added: "Our fire appliances are fitted with CCTV so we will take every step possible to catch the individuals involved.

"For most people this time of year is an enjoyable one but there is always a minority who seek to use it as an excuse for anti-social behaviour.

"Any attack on our crews will not be tolerated and, in partnership with the police, will be thoroughly investigated."