FIREFIGHTERS are being forced to wear body-cams as they try and tackle a problem with youths attacking them after starting fires deliberately.

Crews have been pelted with rocks and branches when they attend fires in Rumworth Park, off Willows Lane in Deane.

They were called out on Monday and Tuesday this week to the park and incidents are now tying up resources.

While it is not the first time a trial of body-cams has been carried out with firefighters in Bolton, it is the first time it has been done so in response to anti-social behaviour.

Andy Hardman, station manager at Bolton Central fire station said: "It is in response to the Rumworth Park incidents.

"It is about resources, we can be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

"If they are throwing stones they could damage a fire engine and could take it off the road. We only have a finite amount of resources. Appliances are going to have to come from further afield to deal with incidents. W can't be in two places at once."

A trial of body worn cameras was also carried out by firefighters in Bolton in April.

This was to allow footage to be gathered to feedback to firefighters while they were out on incidents.

Only the crew leader on each job is wearing a camera at present and the service is working with police to try and stop the anti-social behaviour.