Firefighters were hit with rocks and a fire engine was damaged as they attended a call-out.

Crews from Thames-side Fire Station were attacked by rocks on two consecutive nights on January 25 and 26 as they responded to emergency calls in Dering Way, Gravesend.

One witness said: “Firefighters were hit by rocks and the front and side windows of the fire appliance were smashed.”

Kent Fire and Rescue Service chief executive Ann Millington said: “We are appalled by the abuse firefighters have been faced with when attending 999 calls to Dering Way in Gravesend.

“During recent incidents, the crews have had rocks thrown at them, and fire engines have been damaged.

“This has been reported to Kent Police.

“Our firefighters are here to save lives and reduce harm – their safety is paramount, and we will not tolerate this behaviour.

“Steps have now been taken to maintain the safety of crews who respond in that location.

“We do lots of work with different communities across the county to understand how we can best work together to prevent emergencies, so this abuse is incredibly disappointing.”

A spokesman for Kent Police said: “Kent Police was called at 8.34pm on Friday, January 26 to a report of criminal damage where a group of young people were reported to have thrown rocks at a Kent Fire and Rescue Service vehicle while the crew were responding to an incident in Dering Way, Gravesend.

“Enquiries are ongoing.”

The fire brigade were attending reports of rubbish being set alight on both occasions.

Last September, Arriva bus company permanently scrapped one of its services after it was attacked by yobs.

It had temporarily stopped the 190 route from Dering Way after a window was smashed the previous month.

In 2016, more than 100 bus drivers signed a letter saying they refused to drive along Dering Way after they were pelted by catapults and shot at with air rifles.

As a result, the service was suspended for four months while the operator, police and councillors worked together to tackle the issue.

Then in June 2019, the 190 bypassed Dering Way after 4pm after it was plagued by vandals throwing things at buses.