A Metrolink tram was pulled from service on the Oldham line after it was vandalised at Derker during peak commuting time.

The incident occurred last week and caused significant damage to the window of a door on the tram involved.

Danny Vaughan, Chief Network Officer at TfGM, said: "A tram travelling on the Oldham line was vandalised at Derker at around 8.50am on Thursday, and subsequently withdrawn from service.

"This was a reckless act which impacted services and could have led to serious injury.

"The incident has been reported to Greater Manchester Police."

In a post on social media, a passenger said that the incident caused a loud bang and they initially thought the tram had hit something, but noticed the window damage after glass fell onto them and the passenger next to them.

A social media post showed the entire window of the door panel to be smashedA social media post showed the entire window of the door panel to be smashed (Image: Charlotte Smith)

They said that they didn't believe anyone was injured during the incident.

Vandalism and antisocial behaviour has been a long running problem on the Oldham and Rochdale tram lines, with it having been the subject of debate on BBC Radio Manchester last December. 

Police at King Street tram stop during a specialised Oldham based operationPolice at King Street tram stop during a specialised Oldham based operation last December (Image: GMP)

The show's host, Mike Sweeney, read out a message from Shaw resident, Glen, in which he said that he had been submitted to such behaviour. 

Glen said that he had been 'repeatedly threatened' by ‘unbelievably aggressive’ teenagers when riding the tram.

Sweeney added that from his own experience, he thought the line resembled 'the wild west' at times. 

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) also carried out a specialist operation on Oldham's public transport that same month to tackle antisocial behaviour by deploying specialist officers across the network.

GMP have been approached for comment.