Shocking allegations against a North East fire service need “urgent investigation”, a police boss says.
Kim McGuinness, the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, says that revelations in an ITV News report on Thursday “cannot be ignored” after it emerged that the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service had given a promotion to a firefighter who was known to be under a police investigation for rape. Further accusations have also been made against the service by a former female firefighter who claimed she had been bullied and sexually harassed – including having her kit tampered with and being left alone in a fire.
Ms McGuinness, who is a member of the Tyne and Wear Fire Authority, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “This media report raises several serious issues which cannot be ignored. The allegations made are concerning and require urgent investigation.
