Travel Safe Unit identify children behind series of vandalism incidents

Travel Safe Unit

The Greater Manchester Travel Safe Unit (TSU) has identified a number of young children suspected of being behind a spate of vandal attacks that resulted in damage to Metrolink trams.

Between Monday 20 July and Wednesday 22 July, five trams were withdrawn from service on the Ashton to Rochdale line after windows were smashed when objects were thrown at them between the Failsworth and Hollinwood stops.

Following a proactive investigation by the TSU, one boy, aged 11, was found piling up rocks near to the tracks.

Further investigations led officers from the TSU and neighbourhood policing team to identify five other children.

Police have visited or are in the process of visiting the home of each child to speak with their parents, informing them of the incidents and warning of the consequences and dangers of such behaviour.

Transport for Greater Manchester’s Metrolink Director, Peter Cushing, said: “While these are not the only incidents of vandalism we have experienced since the start of the summer break they were certainly the most concentrated.

“They caused concern for passengers and staff and the proactive response from the TSU reflects the level of severity with which such incidents are treated.

“My shock at learning of the age of the children involved pales into insignificance compared to the shock and disappointment of their parents, who it is fair to say, had no idea they were responsible for such appalling behaviour.

“The Travel Safe Unit is continuing to run a focused campaign and increased patrols across the tram and bus networks this summer and are also running a series of events planned to warn young people of the potential dangers and consequences of antisocial behaviour and messing about near to tracks, because that is inherently dangerous in itself.

“And while we aim to warn and inform people in an effort to prevent attacks and keep passengers, staff and members of the public safe, we will robustly and proactively respond when they occur and our focus will now be on those responsible for damaging trams near to the Firswood stop last night.”