THE anger over firefighters being stoned by teenage gangs after they have been called to sink estates -- usually to deal with arson designed to lure the crews there -- is understandable.

And Lancashire fire authority chairman Nikki Penney is right to want a zero-tolerance backlash from the law.

Yeah, clobber 'em with truncheons and then with the book.

But isn't there another response that ought to be resorted to in future -- by the targeted firefighters themselves?

That of turning their pressure hoses on the yobs? Most could probably do with a good wash in any case.