STRIKING firefighters brought back “the dark days of Arthur Skargill” with violence and harassment, a councillor claims.

The London Fire Brigade (LFB) has accused Fire Brigades Union (FBU) members of a campaign of intimidation, saying all 27 fire engines brought in to provide cover were followed.

Several incidents have been reported to police, including one in which three people on motorcycles allegedly carried out a “hit and run” which left the fire engine damaged.

Barricades were set up around fire stations to stop Asset Co, the company brought in to provide cover during the industrial action, getting in and out of the buildings.

Councillor Susan Hall, a member of London's fire authority, said: “It was absolutely disgraceful. Just as people have the right to strike they obviously have the right to work.

“This means that anyone who didn't want to go on strike should have been allowed to do so without fearing for their lives, at times.

“This just shows what we are up against – it's outrageous behaviour.”

She added: "It does go back to the dark days of Arthur Skargill."

There were 49 incidents across London throughout the day, but there were no fires in Harrow or the north of Brent, the fire brigade confirmed.

Ron Dobson, London Fire Commissioner, said: “I would rather the FBU had not orchestrated Saturday’s strike, but the contract, which was of course never designed to fully replicate the service delivered to London, has delivered.

“The most disappointing aspect of the day was that the people responding to calls, because of this strike, have had to suffer abuse, violence and harassment as they tried to access fire stations or attend incidents.

“Despite the mindless actions which posed a real danger to Londoners, the emergency fire crew delivered the plans to keep the capital safe. However, Londoners should never have been put at risk by the actions of a minority of individuals hell-bent on causing disruption.”