News

| Submit CommentSubmit Comments | View CommentsView Comments(6)

advertisement

Yobs put rail passengers under fire

by Frank Wood
9/ 4/2008

STONE throwing yobs have again had passengers and staff ducking for cover as trains pass through Heywood on the East Lancashire Railway line.

ELR staff have already given the Pot Hall area of town the unwelcome title of "worst blackspot on the whole railway" for vandalism and fly-tipping.

They thought a big operation by police and community support officers last month might have eased the problems.

But during two busy days on the railway, trains were again peppered with stones as they passed through the Pot Hall area.

All the incidents were reported to the police but no arrests were made.

A volunteer liaison officer on one of the trains had a good view of the yobs and took photos on a digital camera. Descriptions of the culprits have also been passed on to police.

Heywood stationmaster Steve Holt said: "On this occasion no windows were smashed, but it can be a very unnerving experience when you are on a train and suddenly see a shower of stones.

"In the past we have had people working on the footplate who have avoided being hit by a matter of inches.I don’t know why Heywood is so bad for this kind of thing.We have one place in Ramsbottom where this sometimes happens, but in Heywood it is a constant problem along one short stretch of line."

The worst incident came just before Christmas 2006 when children and their parents aboard a Santa special were showered in fragments of window glass as a train approached Heywood station.

The ELR is working with the town’s police chief, Inspector Darrell Butterworth, on new ways of tackling the vandalism.


| Submit CommentSubmit Comments | View CommentsView Comments(6)


Most recent 2 of 6 user comments

   I find this absolutely ridiculous i find this outraging i think this is terrible what a crime young yobs get rid of them all.
keiran brandon, manchester
18/04/2008 at 09:37
   I agree with the last comment, I have never liked Labour, they can come up with however many 'antisocial behaviour' schemes that they like but you know what, it's never worked and never will. TIME FOR CHANGES!!!!
Connor Barrett, Heywood
16/04/2008 at 15:37
Have your say
 
Have your say Got an opinion you want to share?
Register now and have your comments heard.

Register now

Latest stories
 

 
Doctors
 

Should GPs have to undergo an annual test of competence?

76%
24%

Personal Finance
 

Fixed Rate Bonds
Provider AER*
ICICI BANK
HiSAVE Term Deposit 		7.00%
ICESAVE
6 Month Fixed Rate Savings Account 		6.86%
ICICI BANK
HiSAVE Term Deposit 		6.70%
Fees may apply