YOBS who stoned fire crews in the run up to bonfire night have been issued with Acceptable Behaviour Contracts.

Twelve youths aged between 14 and 21, signed the orders after they were caught by police lighting fires then throwing stones at a fire engines in Johnson Fold over bonfire night weekend.

Fire and Rescue Service Borough Commander, Vinny Simpson, said: "It is hard to believe that my officers have come under attack when they are simply doing their job. The people responsible have absolutely no idea that by slowing them down, they could delay the fire fighters getting to other incidents.

"Several engines in Greater Manchester have now been fitted with cameras to record these type of incidents, so that the perpetrators can be identified."

The youths were traced following investigations by police based at the local "CopShop".

The Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABC) are signed voluntarily by young people, in the presence of their parents, committing them to improving their behaviour over a six month period. Breaching the contracts could result in the youths being given an Anti-Social Behaviour Order.

Sgt Wayne Readfern, of the BSAFE CopShop in Johnson Fold, said his officers ensured the youngsters involved in anti-social behaviour were identified quickly.

"The Fire and Rescue Service, alongside the police, are members of the BSAFE partnership is committed to reducing crime and improving community safety in Bolton.

"We worked quickly to take action and we will clamp down on anyone who is acting irresponsibly."

In the four months since the CopShop moved into the Johnson Fold area, a number of ABCs have been issued to curb anti-social and nuisance behaviour.

CopShop staff have also been working closely with the local community, as well as the Johnson Fold Residents Association, the Juvenile Response Team and Bolton at Home, to develop projects including a football tournament to divert younger residents into positive activities.

SHOTS were fired at a firefighters last night as they attended a blaze in Tyldesley.

The crew were called to Lancaster Avenue shortly after 7.20pm, and their engine came under attack from a gang of youths.

By the time police arrived, the attackers had fled.

No one was injured and no damage was caused to fire equipment.

Detectives are now keen to trace a group of up to five youths, aged approximately 15-years-old, who were seen close to The Homeground public house around the time of the incident.