Hunt for ‘danger’ yobs smashing bus windows
POLICE are desperate to track down ‘youths’ targeting buses – with officers warning their actions put passengers and staff at risk.
Greater Manchester Police says it is investigating a string of incidents in Stockport town centre and Brinnington over the last week.
It comes after the M.E.N. reported that a shocked passenger was allowed to board a 325 bus in Brinnington which had ‘every window smashed’ last Tuesday night.
Konrad Sutton-Burns, 42, captured video footage of the Stagecoach bus with shards of glass scattered across the vehicle.
Police are eager to identify the culprits.
In a post on Facebook yesterday, a spokesperson for GMP Stockport said: “GMP Transport Unit is investigating a series of damages on buses by youths this last week between Stockport Town Centre and Brinnington.
“The behaviour is completely unacceptable putting other passengers and Stagecoach staff at risk. Enquiries are ongoing to identify those responsible.”
Mr Sutton-Burns told the M.E.N. he was able to hang his head out of an open, smashed window while the bus travelled at 30mph, after he boarded the service with other passengers.
“I didn’t even realise it was like that at first,” he said.
“The driver just charged me and I got on and thought where am I going to sit. I didn’t really realise the magnitude of it until I sat down.
“I couldn’t believe passengers were being allowed on the bus with it in that state. I was just a bit in shock. I think it’s a disgrace I was let on.”
Mr Sutton-Burns added that the situation with anti-social behaviour in Brinnington is ‘getting worse,’ including youngsters ‘terrorising’ bus passengers.
Stagecoach said it was aware of a ‘group who smashed windows on the bus’ on Tuesday night and it was working with GM and TravelSafe to investigate the incident.
Anyone with information regarding those responsible is asked to contact GMP’s Transport Unit on 0161 856 1855, quoting log number 3233 of May 12, 2022. Alternatively, call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.