The police and ambulance crews were attacked with fireworks after being lured to an 'incident' by youths.

Phone calls were made to the emergency services reporting that a person had been found unconscious and not breathing in the Audley area of Blackburn late on Friday night.

The ambulance crews arrived and were attacked by juveniles who threw fireworks at paramedics.

This resulted in the crews having to retreat to their vehicle and leave a person 'potentially dying without treatment'.

When the police were called to assist, they too were attacked by the group with fireworks. 

The whole incident was filmed by the teenagers using mobile phones and then circulated widely on social media via Snapchat and Facebook. 

The police believe the 'unconscious person' reported to them was a hoax call to lure emergency services to the area to be attacked.

A spokesperson for the police said on Friday evening: "Tonight the ambulance service were called to a report of a person unconscious and not breathing in the Audley area.

"Upon their arrival they were attacked by youths with fireworks and had to retreat leaving a person potentially dying without treatment.

"Officers were called to assist and upon their arrival were also attacked with fireworks.

"On this occasion the incident appears to be a hoax call to lure emergency services to the area to be attacked.

"Many of these youths were filming the incident."

Lancashire Telegraph:

The police have condemned the actions of the group and are now asking parents to speak with their children if they suspect they may have been involved in an event that could have prevented the crews from doing their jobs. 

The spokesperson added: "To put members of the emergency services at risk and prevent them trying to save someone's life is completely unacceptable.

"If you suspect your child to have been involved we would ask you to speak to them because next time it could be someone you know needing help."

Councillor Salim Sidat who represents Audley and Queens Park ward on Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council has also condemned the actions and has called for 'the book to be thrown' at those responsible.

He said there were fires still burning in Audley this morning after people had set piles of rubbish alight across the area. 

It is believed the incidents were localised to Pringle Street and surrounding roads.

Cllr Sidat said: "It's absolutely disgusting. I have already put a post on my Facebook page condemning it. It's unacceptable in every way, shape and form. 

"It is not what we want in our society. Some of those videos are just disgusting.

"The NHS, the police, the firefighters, they risk their lives on a daily basis and do a fantastic job, and to repay them like this is absolutely ridiculous.

"I hope whoever is responsible is arrested and has the book thrown at them.

"It is not acceptable behaviour.

"I have been out to visit some houses this morning and have tried to speak with some council officers too, to see what we can do to get some of the mess cleaned from the streets as some of the fires were still burning this morning. 

"They were burning rubbish and it's just a mess.

"We need to put some things into place for the future because these unauthorised fires and using fireworks, it's just unacceptable."