Parents urged to check in with their children after string of attacks on public transport

To help tackle the issue over the Easter holidays, TSP officers are asking parents to make sure they know where their children are and what they are doing – and to warn them of the serious consequences of their actions if they do throw objects at public transport.

The attacks, which have targeted buses, trams and trains in the region, have left both transport staff and passengers seriously injured in some cases - and have also affected the delivery of services, delaying journeys and affecting people’s plans.

Figures show that buses across Greater Manchester have reported more than 300 incidents of missiles being thrown over the past 12 months, while objects were thrown at Metrolink trams nearly 145 times.

A Metrolink report released last month found that “Failsworth continues to be a hotspot location where the most significant issue remains criminal damage to shelters,” with more criminal damage recorded on the Oldham-Rochdale line than any other line.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) could not immediately clarify how many of the attacks had been carried out by children, compared to adults.

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Police and transport operators are also warning against people “surfing” buses or trams after a child injured themselves falling off a bus.

In some cases, the attacks on buses result in services being diverted or withdrawn from certain routes.

Kate Green, TfGM’s TravelSafe Partnership Manager, said: “These types of incidents are absolutely unacceptable, and we will make every effort to track down and prosecute anyone foolish enough to throw objects at public transport.

“The consequences of this type of unthinking behaviour can be extremely serious for transport staff and passengers.

“Parents and young people should also be aware that the consequences for offenders can also be very serious, and a moment of madness or showing off could result in them being banned from the network or potentially prosecuted.

“But offenders can also put themselves in danger, as we saw recently when a child was knocked unconscious while bus surfing. The outcome could have been a lot worse, so we really have to ask – is it worth the risk?”

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The latest spate of incidents comes after a log was thrown into the path of an oncoming train near Bolton in March, causing a small fire leading to more than 100 passengers being evacuated.

In February, a Northern train driver was left with facial injuries after his cab window was shattered by a brick thrown by vandals in Clifton in Salford.

Ian Birch, who has since returned to work, said: “I want the people who did this to see the impact of their actions. I could have been blinded or even killed.”

In Oldham, First Bus launched an appeal in February after a rise in vandalism of its buses meant services had to be suspended or diverted.

Bev Hughes, Greater Manchester Deputy Mayor for Policing, Crime, Criminal Justice and Fire, said: “This reckless behaviour is endangering the safety of passengers, drivers, and the offenders themselves, and it could also deter people from using our trains, trams and buses.

“Everyone using public transport is entitled to a safe and enjoyable journey - incidents of crime and antisocial behaviour on the network will not be tolerated.”

Since January the TSP has held 28 specialist operations targeting known issues at 19 hotspot locations across the public transport network.

Officers have spoken to around 8,000 passengers and have issued almost 1,500 fines. Seven arrests have also been made.

The TSP has also engaged with 42,000 young people since September as part of its educational programme.

In the last year, a total of 27 passes (igo, Our Pass and concessionary) have been removed from young people due to the holders being responsible for crime or antisocial behaviour on the transport network.