THE windscreen of a passing fire engine was smashed last night as fire crews came under attack by stone throwing children -- some aged as young as six.

Firefighters jumped out of the fire engine and chased after the child vandals after the attack on a vandal plagued estate in Little Hulton.

The attack happened at a time when bus services have been withdrawn from Little Hulton after being repeatedly attacked by stone throwing vandals.

The fire engine was hit by a stones as firefighters were driving along Aspinall Crescent, Little Hulton, shortly before midnight last night.

The fire crew from Farnworth leapt from their vehicle and ran after the gang but, because the crew was wearing their firefighting gear, they were unable to catch them.

One of the stones thrown by the youths bounced off the top of the vehicle as a second rock -- thrown by a youth aged 12-16 -- smashed through the windscreen.

The fire tender had to be withdrawn after the attack leaving Farnworth without fire cover for more than two hours. Fire chief Neil Mercer said: "It's getting stupid in Little Hulton at the moment. Incidents like this are just annoying because our appliances have to be taken off the road, hampering the service we can provide."

Firefighters later managed to talk to a couple of six-year-olds who had been part of the gang.

Police have also spoken to their parents.

Station Officer Mercer said: "If we ignore incidents like this, which are supposed to do, then the problem just gets worse."

Police patrols have recently been increased in Little Hulton in a bid to crackdown on vandalism and petty crime in the area. Bus company First has declared the area a no-go zone and has scrapped services for seven night in protest against young vandals who repeatedly throw stones at the buses. The bus services are due to resume tomorrow night.

THE windscreen of a fire engine was smashed last night as fire crews came under attack by stone throwing children -- some aged as young as six.

Firefighters jumped out of the fire engine and chased after the vandals after the attack on Aspinall Crescent, Little Hulton.

The attack, just before midnight, happened at a time when bus services have been withdrawn from Little Hulton after being repeatedly coming under a hail of bricks and stones.

The fire crew from Farnworth were unable to catch the gang.

One of the stones thrown by the youths bounced off the top of the vehicle as a second rock -- thrown by a youth aged between 12 and 16 -- smashed through the windscreen.

The fire tender had to be taken out of service leaving Farnworth without fire cover for more than two hours.

Fire chief Neil Mercer said: "It's getting stupid in Little Hulton at the moment. Incidents like this are just annoying because our appliances have to be taken off the road, hampering the service we can provide."

Firefighters later managed to talk to a couple of six-year-olds who had been part of the gang. Police have also spoken to their parents.

Station Officer Mercer said: "If we ignore incidents like this, which are supposed to do, then the problem just gets worse."

Police patrols have recently been increased in Little Hulton in a bid to crackdown on vandalism and petty crime in the area.4 1.2

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