A firefighter has spoken of his anger and fear after he was shot with an air gun while on duty.

Hand injury - firefighter Jason George, who was hit in the hand by an air gun pellet while on duty at the Rainsford Lane firestation, Chelmsford. Picture: NICK OBANK 40944-1

Jason George was getting equipment ready to react to a call when youths opened fire on him.

The 35-year-old, of Bunting Close, Chelmsford, was on his own in the forecourt of the Rainsford Lane fire station in Chelmsford when he was shot in the hand.

"I heard a noise but thought nothing of it then five minutes later I heard it again," he said. "When I looked down my hand was bleeding.

"I went inside to show my colleagues and ask if they'd seen anything. We went back outside and found pellets on the floor.

Mr George, who has been based in Chelmsford for a year after transferring from Hadleigh, said: "The shot broke the skin on my hand. I didn't need any treatment but it was the shock of it more than anything.

"I suppose the kids think it's a bit of fun but they don't understand the seriousness of it I'm just glad they didn't hit me in the eye. The police said they've seen a child blinded by a bb gun before."

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "The risk these people are taking is huge. If we get a report of someone with a handgun we could deploy armed officers."

Police say a group of teenagers were seen running away from the area shortly after the incident at about 8pm on Thursday, February 3 and are appealing for witnesses.

Published Thursday, February 10, 2005

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