Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Report finds repeated incidents of racism, sexism and homophobia in UK fire services

The report described UK fire services as an ‘old boys' club’

Report finds repeated incidents of racism, sexism and homophobia in UK fire services

A new report has found evidence of racism, sexism and homophobia in at least 11 of the 44 fire and rescue services (FRSs) in UK, reported the Times.

The report from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) also revealed that misogyny, racism and homophobia were regarded as banter by some in the services.


The work culture in fire services was described as an 'old boys’ club', and in one incident a senior officer referred to a black colleague using the N-word and dismissed it as 'having a laugh'.

In another incident, two male firefighters acted out raping a female colleague. Homophobic abuse was graffitied on a firefighter’s locker in a third example.

According to the HMICFRS report, there were also social media posts by popular, unofficial fire and rescue-specific accounts which appeared to portray misogyny, racism and homophobia as banter.

Based on the findings, the report has put forward 35 recommendations, five of which focused on reforming the background checking processes.

The Home Office and Ministry of Justice ensure fire and rescue employees are eligible for appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS ) checks. Fire and rescue services should have specific minimum requirements for all roles, particularly those where staff interact with vulnerable members of the public.

“I was absolutely shocked by some of the findings. Some of the things we found I thought were from the dim and distant past," Roy Wilsher, HM inspector of fire and rescue services, was quoted as saying by the Times.

The report urged to implement confidential processes for raising concerns, 360-degree feedback, increased diversity monitoring and the creation of a national list of staff that have been dismissed from the service for gross misconduct, including past cases.

An independent culture review last November reported staff searching through women’s drawers looking for underwear and sex toys during home fire-safety visits.

The latest report identified causes of concern in five services, inadequate grades or improvement requirements for 26 services and 72 additional areas for improvement across 32 services.

In 17 services that received inadequate or necessary improvement grades for their values and culture, 15 per cent of staff reported experiencing bullying or harassment and 20 per cent reported experiencing discrimination, higher than in services with good or outstanding grades.

Wilsher urged to diversify the workforce and implement the recommendations without delay.

The report identified particular concerns about a lack of action being taken against reported discrimination or bullying, and staff feeling unsafe to report these incidents.

The report revealed that in half of misconduct allegations victim had left the service, often retiring or resigning before procedures took place. There was a perception among staff that women were appointed based on their gender rather than on their skills and qualifications.

“It continues to concern me that some members of the service don’t treat each other or members of the public with respect and in some cases, have intentionally caused harm. It is time for this behaviour to stop," Wilsher said.

More For You

Modi & Trump

Donald Trump and Narendra Modi shake hands as they attend a joint press conference at the White House on February 13, 2025. (Photo credit: Reuters)

India, US to discuss trade issues after tariff hike

INDIA and the United States will hold trade discussions in New Delhi on Tuesday, officials and Indian media reports said, as the two countries look to resolve a tariff dispute.

India currently faces high US tariffs on most of its exports and has not yet been able to reach a trade deal that would ease the pressure.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer-Reuters

Starmer, who has faced negative coverage since taking office in July 2024, defended the appointment process. (Photo: Reuters)

Starmer: I would not have appointed Mandelson if aware of Epstein ties

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer said on Monday he would not have appointed Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to Washington had he known the extent of his links with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

This was Starmer’s first public statement since dismissing Mandelson last week. The prime minister is facing questions over his judgement, including from Labour MPs, after initially standing by Mandelson before removing him from the post.

Keep ReadingShow less
Trump

Trump said the suspect had been arrested earlier for 'terrible crimes,' including child sex abuse, grand theft auto and false imprisonment, but was released under the Biden administration because Cuba refused to take him back.

Getty Images

Trump says accused in Dallas motel beheading will face first-degree murder charge

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump has described Chandra Mouli “Bob” Nagamallaiah, the Indian-origin motel manager killed in Dallas, as a “well-respected person” and said the accused will face a first-degree murder charge.

Nagamallaiah, 50, was killed last week at the Downtown Suites motel by co-worker Yordanis Cobos-Martinez, a 37-year-old undocumented Cuban immigrant with a criminal history.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer Mandelson

Starmer talks with Mandelson during a welcome reception at the ambassador's residence on February 26, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Getty

Starmer under pressure from party MPs after Mandelson dismissal

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer is facing questions within the Labour party after the sacking of US ambassador Peter Mandelson.

Mandelson was removed last week after Bloomberg published emails showing messages of support he sent following Jeffrey Epstein’s conviction for sex offences. The dismissal comes just ahead of US president Donald Trump’s state visit.

Keep ReadingShow less
Nepal’s new leader pledges to act on Gen Z calls to end corruption

Officials greet newly-elected Prime Minister of Nepal's interim government Sushila Karki (R) as she arrives at the prime minister's office in Kathmandu on September 14, 2025. (Photo by PRABIN RANABHAT/AFP via Getty Images)

Nepal’s new leader pledges to act on Gen Z calls to end corruption

NEPAL’s new interim prime minister Sushila Karki on Sunday (14) pledged to act on protesters’ calls to end corruption and restore trust in government, as the country struggles with the aftermath of its worst political unrest in decades.

“We have to work according to the thinking of the Gen Z generation,” Karki said in her first address to the nation since taking office on Friday (12). “What this group is demanding is the end of corruption, good governance and economic equality. We will not stay here more than six months in any situation. We will complete our responsibilities and hand over to the next parliament and ministers.”

Keep ReadingShow less