ARRESTS IN CRACKDOWN ON TRAM YOBS
THIRTEEEN people were arrested in just two weeks as part of a crackdown on anti-social behaviour on Greater Manchester’s trams.
Patrols have been focused on the Oldham and Rochdale line following a string of violent incidents in recent months.
The Metrolink network has been hit by missile-hurling yobs, vandals and arsonists almost 1,200 times in little more than two years.
The Oldham and Rochdale line has seen hundreds of incidents.
In 27 months to May, there were 319 recorded incidents – the majority occurring between Monsall and Shaw and Crompton.
In response to the rising number of incidents, Greater Manchester Police launched Operation Infinity on August 13. Officers from the TravelSafe Partnership, along with the mounted unit and youth engagement officers from Oldham council, have been patrolling the line.
A total of 13 suspects have been detained for a number of suspected offences, including public order crimes, theft, fraud, possession of cannabis and breach of parole.
Police also spoke to 153 young people to make sure they were safe, and a number were safeguarded, police said.
Supt Julie Ellison said: “Operation Infinity sends out a clear message to perpetrators that we will not tolerate crime and antisocial behaviour on the Metrolink.
“Thankfully the majority of journeys take place without any issue but unfortunately there are a small minority intent on causing misery and we will not allow our transport network to be abused in such a way.
“Our operation is set to continue over the next few weeks and I’d encourage anyone with concerns to alert staff, call police or report using our LiveChat function on the GMP website.”
Head of Metrolink Danny Vaughan said: “The ability to share information between transport operators and the police and use it to plan targeted operations such as this is one of the major advantages of having a dedicated TravelSafe unit.
“It is really important that every member of our community feels safe to travel without feeling intimidated or concerned by the behaviour of others.
“Public transport is a safe way to travel and the work of the TravelSafe Partnership helps to reinforce and maintain that.”