Police visiting parents of baby-faced tram vandals
Metrolink boss says mums and dad have been left shocked and disappointed by young yobs’ actions
POLICE and transport chiefs have tracked down a gang of babyfaced yobs suspected of being behind a spate of vandal attacks on trams – and they are now visiting their parents.
Five trams were withdrawn from service after windows were smashed when objects were thrown at them between the Failsworth and Hollinwood stops in Oldham between Monday and Wednesday last week.
Shaken passengers and drivers were forced to evacuate the trams until bosses could send replacements. The Greater Manchester Travel Safe Unit (TSU) launched an investigation in a bid to trace the culprits.
An 11-year-old boy was found piling up rocks near the tracks. Five other children are thought to have been involved. It is thought they are all between 10 and 13-years-old.
Police have already visited some of their parents and are planning to talk to the rest in the coming days.
Transport for Greater Manchester’s Metrolink director, Peter Cushing, said: “My shock at learning of the age of the children involved pales into insignificance compared to the shock and disappointment of their parents, who it is fair to say, had no idea they were responsible for such appalling behaviour.
“While these are not the only incidents of vandalism since the start of the summer break, they were certainly the most concentrated. They caused concern for passengers and staff and the proactive response from the TSU reflects the level of severity with which such incidents are treated.”
Extra staff have been drafted in to patrol stations and a series of events to warn youngsters about the dangers of anti-social behaviour and playing near tram tracks are planned.
There have been numerous incidents so far this summer. Bosses say is common to see a spike in vandalism during the summer holidays.
Two trams on the East Didsbury and Airport lines had to be evacuated at Firswood in Chorlton after vandals struck on Thursday. And last week, the M.E.N. reported how some Metrolink staff are too scared to work on the ‘lawless’ Rochdale line. »
TRANSPORT chiefs are warning tram passengers to be wary of crooks tampering with ticket machines after reports of cardboard being stuffed inside to stop change being given.
Customers have been urged be on their guard when buying tickets following reports of machines not giving change at the Spring Lane stop in Radcliffe, Bury.
Scammers are understood to be jamming pieces of cardboard inside machines to prevent change coming out, before returning to pull it out and retrieving the cash.
Extra Metrolink staff have been on the lookout at the station and are
Ticket machines have been tampered with at a tram station, prompting a warning from Metrolink bosses advising passengers to inspect machines before they use them.
A Transport for Greater Manchester spokesman said: “We are aware that ticket machines at the Radcliffe Metrolink stop have been tampered with to prevent passengers from collecting their change.
“We take issues such as this extremely seriously and are working closely with police officers from the TravelSafe Unit to catch the perpetrators.
“Staff have been deployed to the stop to prevent further incidents and offer advice to customers.
“I would encourage anyone who has information about those behind this scam to contact Greater Manchester Police on 101.”
Passengers have reported getting the wrong change from the machine. Others have been given no money back at all.
The scam has been foiled after a similar scheme at a nearby cashpoint. Police say they have identified a number of suspects after card-catchers were attached to a Barclays machine on Blackburn Street in recent months.
The devices stop debit cards from being returned by the machine, which then appears to be out of order. Thieves attach a camera nearby to record people entering their PIN.
The scam is often carried out at night to stop customers going inside the bank for help.