Fire services sacked 17 staff members, figures show

At least 17 firefighters or fire staff were sacked in the south since the start of 2022, new figures show.

Dorset and Wiltshire's service, which inspectors found had an "inadequate" culture earlier this year, sacked eight staff, while Berkshire's dismissed seven.

Two were sacked from Oxfordshire's service, where another inspection found some used "inappropriate and racist language", but Hampshire and Isle of Wight's would only say that it had held 12 misconduct hearings.

The fire services' watchdog said there was "too much unacceptable behaviour".

But it also said in August that some progress had been made to tackle issues with values and culture nationally.

Andy Cole will become Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service's chief fire officer in the New Year once Ben Ansell retires.

Mr Ansell previously said a 2023 report, which found misogyny and sexism were rife in the service, was "uncomfortable to read" and said it "must and will change".

In September he said it was the "right time" to step down to "allow for new leadership".

The service said aside from the eight staff sacked since January 2022, six others were given final written warnings. Another two were handed first written warnings.

In Berkshire, the fire service said of 24 misconduct hearings held, 12 were over alleged behaviour.

Another nine were because of alleged breaches of policy or process, two were held over suspected bullying or harassment and another was held over alleged discrimination.

Aside from the seven sackings, five staff were given final written warnings and another five written warnings. There was no case to answer in one case.

The Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service said there were six "other" outcomes but did not specify what they were.

In Oxfordshire, five staff were given first written warnings following hearings and two final written warnings were issued. One member of staff resigned following their hearing.

All of the information was obtained by the BBC through Freedom of Information requests.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight's service would not give any further information because it said doing so "would enable the identification of individuals to the world at large".

You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.