Specialist firefighting equipment was stolen from the back of one engine.

The youths, aged 13 to 17, kicked the engines and lobbed missiles, leaving the vehicles covered in dents and puncture holes in an unrelenting 20-minute attack.

Firefighters were forced to withdraw after being called out to a blaze in a derelict house on the corner of York Street and Lyon Street, Speke, at 8.15 last night.

Three fires in the boarded up house were started deliberately.

Sub officer Mark McCaig said: "It is disgusting. All the firefighters are just appalled. These are local youths trying to attack us while we are doing our job.

"At first there were about 12 of them, then the crowd grew to 40. They all had their hoods up and were trying to steal things.

Written by Mary Murtagh