Merseyside's fire service said "more needs to be done" after a worrying national report found evidence of bullying and discrimination in every region.
HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) found that a "pack-like" mentality in some fire services made people fearful of reporting colleagues and caused them to believe nothing would happen if they did. Inspector Roy Wilsher said the cases uncovered so far "could be just the tip of the iceberg".
The national report contained multiple examples of misogynistic, racist and homophobic incidents including two male firefighters "acting out the rape" of a female colleague. The report, which looked into all 44 fire services, called for an overhaul of vetting and misconduct processes for firefighters, including legal changes to expand criminal record searches and a new body to set standards.
