A shocking catalogue of physical and verbal attacks on Welsh firefighters has been revealed by Plaid Cymru.

A Freedom of Information request to the three Welsh fire and rescue services discovered that there had been more than 250 physical and verbal attacks on crews since 2009-10.

There were 129 incidents in South Wales, 64 in Mid and West Wales and 58 in North Wales and they included physical attacks, objects being thrown at crews and appliances and harassment.

Carmarthenshire Assembly Member and Plaid Cymru’s spokesperson on Public Services, Rhodri Glyn Thomas said: "Firefighters risk their safety in the line of duty. It is disgraceful that they are threatened while they go about their work.

“A zero tolerance policy must be operated at all times against those who abuse our brave firefighters.

“Firefighters are doing invaluable work on behalf of the public in very difficult circumstances and Plaid Cymru believes that the UK Westminster Government should not be attacking the pensions of these brave men and women. They face dismissal if they cannot maintain high physical fitness standards until they reach the age of 60 and that is not acceptable.”

Cerith Griffiths, secretary of the FBU in Wales, said: “The issue of attacks on firefighters is something the FBU has campaigned on for many years and we welcome calls for a zero tolerance attitude. Attacks on firefighters are not only unwarranted but dangerous.”