Firefighters should not remove protesters, says union

Firefighters have been advised not to act as "law enforcement" and remove protesters during demonstrations.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) emphasised to members that their role was a "humanitarian one" following a demonstration against the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and the West Bank in Oxford on Friday.

Campaigners from the Oxford Action for Palestine (OA4P) group temporarily seized the Radcliffe Camera - which is part of the University of Oxford - before being removed by police.

Steve Wright, FBU general secretary, said the union had a "long history of supporting the right to protest, as well as peace and justice for Palestine".

Members of Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service responded to the action in Oxford city centre after a fire alarm was activated on Friday morning.

The service said its crews remained on site alongside South Central Ambulance and Thames Valley Police (TVP) in case life-saving rescues were required.

It added that "at no point" were fire crews involved in removing protesters from the building.

TVP worked to remove the protesters, and said it arrested 12 people in connection with the incident.

Explaining the FBU's position, Mr Wright said: "Firefighting is a humanitarian profession, completely independent of law enforcement."

"The role of a firefighter is to protect the community and save lives, and does not include assisting the police response to protests or the removal of protesters."

Mr Wright, who is from Oxfordshire, added that members were advised to "refuse to participate in law enforcement activities alongside the police".

The FBU said that elsewhere in the country, police forces had previously "requested support" from fire services to assist in the removal of protesters.

But it said the role of firefighters is a "humanitarian one", and said members were advised not to be involved in law enforcement activities.

It added that it had a long history of supporting the Palestinian cause.

At its 2024 conference, the union passed a motion calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and for an end to UK weapon sales to Israel.

It has also condemned the "appalling loss of civilian life" and the "destruction of large areas" in Gaza.

Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza against Hamas in response to the group's cross-border attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and 252 others were taken hostage.

Almost 47,000 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

A ceasefire was agreed earlier this month.

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