The number of people who died in Norfolk in non-fire incidents emergencies attended by firefighters increased last year, new figures show.

Fire crews routinely attend a range of emergencies other than fires, such as flooding, traffic collisions or assisting other emergency services with medical issues.

Home Office figures show the Norfolk firefighters reported 75 deaths in non-fire incidents they attended in the year to March 2023, up from 62 in the previous 12 months.

This was despite a  6pc annual reduction in total non-fire call-outs with 2,745 incidents attended.

READ MORE: Norfolk fire crews called to 825 arsons attacks in 12 months

One of the main drivers of the rise was an increase in the number of deaths in medical incidents.

Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union general secretary, said one in five firefighter jobs had been lost since 2010.

“But we are also well aware that firefighters are increasingly responding to emergencies without the correct resources and fire engines,” he added.

A Home Office spokesman said it was committed to ensuring fire services have the resources they need.

In total Norfolk fire crews attended 613 road crashes, 103 flooding or water rescue calls, and 77 medical incidents.