THE Fire Brigades Union on Thursday described the jailing for six months of three youths who took part in an attack on firefighters trying to put out a blaze as "appropriate to the crime."
One officer had been punched before a gang of about 30 youths chased firefighters, throwing bricks, bottles and garden ornaments.
The three, aged 14, 15 and 16, denied violent disorder in Winton, Eccles, on 25 March, but were convicted at Salford Magistrates' Court.
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Kevin Brown, secretary of Greater Manchester Fire Brigades Union, told BBC Manchester: "We take no pleasure in their sentences but these youths were old enough to know what they were doing.
"Our work is dangerous enough without having to face a diet of bricks and bottles.
"Attacking fire crews is recreational violence in some areas and the judge has it spot-on.
"Six months is a significant sentence for youths of this age but the punishment must fit the crime.
"We need to educate kids and work with them to help stop these attacks, but if that fails then the courts need to send a clear message."
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