Firefighters are being targeted by gangs of up to 50 teenagers who are luring them with deliberate fires at a North East skatepark.
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service crews have attended several incidents at the skatepark in Oxclose, Washington over the past two weeks alongside colleagues from Northumbria Police.
Images taken by crew members show damage after fires were set in the woods behind the skatepark and benches torched, while even a high voltage electrics box was vandalised.
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The fire service has urged parents to educate their children if they believe they are socialising in the area. It also issued an appeal for information as they work with police to try and identify those involved.
A spokesman said: "Upon our attendance the groups of children believed to have been responsible then tried to hamper our attempts to extinguish the fires.
"Not only does this behaviour make life a misery for the local community but these teenagers are putting themselves at risk through their behaviour.
"We are working closely with the police to identify those involved and would call on anyone who knows those responsible to report it.
"If you have children who regularly socialise in this area then please speak to them and educate them about the dangers of this type of behaviour for all involved.
"The actions are being undertaken by a small minority and we don’t want any more children to get into trouble because they have been in the area at the time.
"Let’s all work together to make our communities a safe place for everyone."
Sunderland City Council said fire crews have been the subject to "threats of violence both physical and verbal" - something the authority said was "unacceptable."
A statement posted online by the council said: "CCTV footage is currently being examined by Northumbria Police in an effort to try and identify those responsible.
"Over the past fortnight, neighbourhood officers from Northumbria Police have worked hand-in-hand with the community to identify those involved in anti-social behaviour."
Anyone with information of the incidents is asked to call Firestoppers on 0800 169 5558 or report it through their website.
Alternatively you can report information to Northumbria Police through their website, by calling 101 or by calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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