Lives put at risk by yobs pelting drivers with rocks

ALMOST 900 teachers in Yorkshire have gone on long-term stress leave in the past year, Liberal Democrat research has revealed – up 10% on the previous year.

The Liberal Democrats said the figure of 889 teachers “laid bare the impossible pressures teachers are under” and warned that stress caused by an obsession with exam results is fuelling the teacher recruitment crisis.

Almost 300,000 days have been taken off by teachers for stress and mental health reasons in Yorkshire in the past four years, including over 67,000 in 2016/17.

The figures are based on responses to Freedom of Information requests by the Liberal Democrats from 10 local councils in the region, meaning the real figure is likely to be substantially higher. DRIVERS were left angry and shocked after yobs pelted their cars with rocks from a railway bridge.

Several drivers suffered damage to their vehicles after they were hit by stones thrown from a bridge over the A636 Wakefield Road at Clayton West.

One driver, whose car was dented earlier this week, said the stone-throwing youths were putting lives at risk.

“The stone left a big dent in the roof of my car, which was the same for two other drivers,” he said. “I hear that this isn’t the first time this has happened. The police have been informed.”

The driver, who did not want to be named, said a driver could be injured ... or worse. The latest incident happened on Sunday evening.

A spokesman for Kirklees Light Railway said staff were “extremely concerned to hear that trespassers where throwing objects from our bridge at Clayton West at cars on A636 Wakefield Road.”

“This is why we do not tolerate any groups ‘playing’ on or around the railway,” he said. “Unfortunately high jinx can lead to what is blatantly an activity to cause harm to others.

“If you are aware of who may have been involved in this activity or see similar occurrences taking place we urge you to act in an appropriate way and call West Yorkshire Police.”

To do this phone 101 or 999 if the crime is ongoing.

The reports follow concern about trespassers dealing drugs on the tracks of the scenic railway.

In October police revealed they found drugs paraphernalia alongside the tracks at Kirklees Light Railway.

The intruders had also started fires and left empty cans of cider and lager on the Skelmanthorpe side of the railway.