A FIRE chief has spoken of his disgust after an officer suffered a broken arm and another was hit over the head with a fence post by a gang of up to 15 thugs.

Only weeks after the North-East was revealed as having the largest rise in attacks on firefighters in England and Wales, the officer and his colleague, who suffered severe cuts and bruises, became the latest victims.

Last night, Cleveland Fire Brigade's chief officer, John Doyle, said he was appalled by the behaviour of the youths who attacked members of Stockton's Blue Watch at an emergency incident on Monday.

He said it was the third time in less than two months that firefighters called to the town's Norton Grange estate had to confront thugs.

"Our crews are trying to protect the community and keep them safe, yet they are coming under attack from mindless youths while trying to carry out their duties," said Mr Doyle.

"These same senseless individuals would expect my firefighters to put their lives at risk to rescue members of their families in an emergency situation, and yet have total disregard and no respect for the role that my staff carry out.

"We will not tolerate violence to staff any longer, and we are working with Cleveland Police and our partners within the Stockton Safer Partnership to ensure that those who carry out such attacks are brought to justice."

When the crew arrived in Clarendon Road to tackle a blaze at a derelict property, at about 9pm, a group of youths aimed abuse at them.

Watch manager Alex Race is still nursing severe bruising to his neck after being hit over the head with a wooden post as he tried to fight off the mob.

He said that when the two appliances pulled up outside the burning house, the atmosphere was threatening - but the crews set about extinguishing the fire.

But it turned nasty when a crew member tried to stop youths stealing first aid equipment from the appliances.

The firefighter chased the thieves, but was set upon by up to 15 thugs.

"They were punching and kicking him, and basically giving him a pasting," said Mr Race.

"We ran to assist him and just tried to drag them off. I got smacked in the back of the head with a fence post, but, fortunately, I had my helmet on at the time."

He said that when he and another officer tried to detain the youth who tried to steal the equipment, two girls intervened.

Stockton district manager Ian Harrington said: "Everything happened so quickly. But although there were serious injuries, none of them are life-threatening. But if one of the youths had been carrying a knife, God knows what would have happened. It's absolutely appalling."

Last year, there were nearly 50 attacks on firefighters in the Cleveland area, and this year the brigade has already recorded 18.

Neighbouring brigades are also facing the same dangers.

Last year, the number of incidents in County Durham and Tyne and Wear more than doubled, from 40 to 83, and from 39 to 108, respectively.

And in North Yorkshire, six incidents occurred, compared with only one the year before.

Mr Doyle said: "Unfortunately, attacks on fire service staff are becoming more regular and this not only has an impact on those attacked, but it also affects the frontline service we provide."

He appealed for residents on the Norton Grange estate to support the service.

Steve Watson, secretary of Cleveland Fire and Rescue and North-East regional chairman of the Fire Brigades Union, said firefighters were facing a daily diet of abuse.

He said the Government needed to fund more projects to enable firefighters to work with youngsters to build up mutual respect and to educate them about the work they do. But he said cuts to fire brigade budgets were hitting such projects hard.

Chief Inspector Ted Allen, of Stockton Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "I make a simple plea to parents to do all they can to prevent incidents of anti- social behaviour in these neighbourhoods."

Two men, both 20, will appear before Teesside Magistrates' Court this morning charged with violent disorder, theft from a motor vehicle and assault. One will also be charged with breaching an anti-social behaviour order. Two 14-year-old girls have been released on police bail pending further inquiries.