One of the local lowlife in Southdene decided to punch a Fireman in the face on Saturday 30th August. The firemen were attending a fire in a derelict house in Southdene and even before arriving the Fire Engine was subject to a hail of stones and missiles being aimed at it. The person responsible for punching the fireman will hopefully be grassed up by one of those unfortunate enough to actually be in the company of someone brain-dead enough to punch a fireman. It would be a great idea to publicly name the little toe-rag and shame him. If the magistrates had any sense they would sentence him to clean the tarmac outside Kirkby Fire Station wearing a T shirt which says 'I AM AN IDIOT' That's after he has served a good few months in nick.

The lad who punched the fireman will only be young. We have had many incidents in Southdene where the gangs of young lads seem to be content to mess up the community. They are led as per usual by a small minority, and there activities include, but are not restricted to - smashing taxis, smashing buses, smashing up the bus shelters - attacking drivers who challenge them, bullying younger kids and pensioners and of course, the odd burglary and theft of our motor vehicles. This is a problem not restricted to Southdene or indeed Kirkby. This is happening everywhere - or everywhere there is a Working Class Community mismanaged and almost destroyed by the politicians.

Turn the Hoses on them!

Kirkby's Firemen should be allowed to turn their hoses on anyone who stands in the way of them and the job in hand. A good blast of a hose would see the La Coste wide boys whimpering off. The Police could then identify suspects due to the fact they'd be soaking wet. Seriously though, why shouldn't the firemen have the right to do this? - if some idiots are endangering the job in hand then they need to be stopped. Will it come down to the Police Escorting the Fire Service and Ambulances to certain parts of Kirkby?

Support your local Fire Fighters!

The crew at Kirkby have come and gone over the years - but there are faces there that seem to have been around for a while. No matter how long the firemen are based here we have always had a decent service in Kirkby despite the cuts by the lowlife politicians. The firemen here over the years have saved many lives and they will continue to do so as long as they are adequately funded and have enough equipment. That one of our youth could then punch one of the firemen is a disgrace. The vast majority of kids would not punch a fireman nor stone a bus or ambulance. Many kids will go off the rails and do something stupid but this is a criminal assault and should be treated as a serious offence. As ever - it has to be said that the appalling lack of investment of funds into youth facilities does not exactly help matters, but this matters little to the fireman whose risked his life only for some un-grateful little lowlife to 'reward' him with a punch to the face. If you have any info concerning this little toe-rag - then don't just sit on it, Grass him up.

Most of the readers of this website would unite in sending our best wishes to Kirkby Fire Stations crew past and present. Thanks. Most of us would also unite in sending our best wishes to the lad who was attacked.

Top Tip for the Firemen - It would perhaps be an idea for one or several of the crew to be tutored in the use of a digital camera, one with a nice zoom lens on it which can capture the faces of various persons up to no good.

Tower Hill Community Wardens - Are they having an impact?

Ultimately - it's up to the community to solve this problem. The police can only contain it at best and the firemen would sooner not have to use a spare hose on disorderly youth. These are local kids, and its getting to the point where the average bloke here is unwilling to confront the gangs due to the increasingly likelihood of being half beaten to death. What do local Wardens based in Tower Hill think of their own role in tackling this disorderly anti social behaviour? Could local kids pay heed to trusted local people who could stamp out the minor incidents? What do YOU think?