Vandals, 10, ordered to clean up after rock attacks on trams
AGROUP of children who threw rocks at trams have been ordered to carry out cleaning and gardening work at a Metrolink depot.
The five youngsters, all 10 years old, were responsible for hurling the stones at three passing trams on the Rochdale via Oldham line on June 14 this year.
One passenger was left with minor injuries and the line had to be temporarily suspended.
The offenders will do the cleaning work as part of the restorative justice programme - which aims to reform those who commit antisocial behaviour. The children recently met two drivers whose trams were damaged during the incident.
The drivers explained to them what impact the incident had on them and their passengers during the session at Queen’s Park depot.
The children were also shown pictures of the damage and warned reoffending could result in a charge and appearance at a youth court. The youngsters apologised for their actions and agreed to become young ambassadors for Metrolink.
The restorative justice programme was arranged by The TravelSafe Partnership, which targets crime, antisocial behaviour and fare evasion on the Metrolink. The idea behind it is to rehabilitate offenders by getting them engaged in the community. Meeting victims is a way for them to come to terms with the impact of their behaviour and apologise for their actions.
Graham Lord Jones, operational security manager at KeolisAmey Metrolink, said: “The children and their families were really engaged with this session, staff explained the impact this incident had on them and our customers and were warned that further instances of stone-throwing or antisocial behaviour would have serious consequences.
“This is the first time Metrolink has been involved in the restorative justice process and the children and their families were all clearly receptive to the warning and apologised to our staff and police.”
Chief Insp Colette Rose from GMP said: “Restorative justice enables children and young people to understand the consequences of their actions and prevents them from unnecessarily entering the criminal justice system.
“I’m pleased to hear the use of restorative justice has been successful on this occasion and the children have apologised for their actions.
“Hearing first-hand from the drivers affected by the stone throwing is something I am sure will stay with the children for a long time, as well as deterring them from becoming involved in similar incidents.”