The Greater Manchester TravelSafe Partnership (TSP) has issued a warning of the consequences of throwing objects at trams and buses after an increase in incidents during 2021. They are taking swift action and reviewing footage to identify those involved and using combined operator intelligence to target patrols in the areas where incidents are most likely to happen.
Since the start of 2021 there have been 62 recorded incidents of criminal damage on the Metrolink network which includes 31 smashed tram windows and 31 incidents of damage to shelters and validators. This led to trams having to be removed from service thus reducing the number available to operate on the network.
In addition there have been 49 separate incidents of criminal damage to buses with one of the latest incidents seeing a brick thrown through the window of the 328 Stagecoach service hitting the driver on the back of the head.
Inspector Jon Middleton of the Greater Manchester Police’s Transport Unit said: “Our Transport Unit and local policing teams are currently investigating these reports and take a zero-tolerance approach to this kind of behaviour that puts our communities at risk. Antisocial behaviour on public transport is not acceptable and can have a major effect on other passengers. We will continue to work hard with partners to ensure that people feel safe and can travel without intimidation or feeling threatened by the behaviour of others. I would like to thank the majority of our communities who respect those that help our transport network run and would appeal to everyone to be considerate to others and to continue reporting crime to ourselves.”