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Cops warn train vandals will kill
 

POLICE have warned it is only a matter of time before a train driver is killed after two trains were hit by vandalism attacks.

On Wednesday evening a 37-year-old man was almost blinded when his windscreen was shattered by a heavy object, left dangling from a railway bridge near Blantyre, as he travelled at 60mph.

The previous evening a train was hit at up to 75mph by an object hanging from an overhead cable in Wishaw.

Now transport cops have mounted door to door enquiries in a bid to catch the vandals before they kill.

The victim of Wednesday's attack was rushed to Wishaw General Hospital where he had treatment for facial injuries and damage to his eyes.

Police are hoping a member of the public may have seen the vandals responsible on the bridge at Blantyre Farm Road some time before the incident at 7.10pm.

Detective Inspector John Harrington of British Transport Police said: "This was an act of sheer madness and total recklessness. Although injured the driver had a lucky escape and the consequences could have been so much worse."

Today one police source insisted: "We need to get these idiots stopped. It is a matter of time before somebody is killed, just for doing their job."

To contact British Transport Police on 08000 405040 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."

Publication date 16/05/08

Posted by: celtic4, United States on 2:06pm Fri 16 May 08
I hope this insanity stops before someone is killed. I don't understand the mindset of vandalls. It is a huge problem here as well.
Posted by: trench, possilpark on 3:38pm Fri 16 May 08
what makes vandals think they are not home grown terrorists?....no difference,nothing to be proud about, should be in a hospital for treatment on brain disorders,hope the victim recovers quickly after this attack, if anyone knows these monsters do not even think of protecting them as you are in danger of ....aiding and abetting, a serious offence.(are you listening parents?)
Posted by: tam-m, southside on 7:41pm Fri 16 May 08
about time legislation was put in place for this type of crime.
ie five years minimum sentence for trying to derail a train.or the charge should be attempted murder.
why wait until people are killed in one of these acts of thuggery before taking serious action.
Posted by: flyingscot, Crookston on 11:07pm Fri 16 May 08
Things never change, we saw a train derailed and people killed near Wemyss Bay when people put a concrete block on the track. Idiots.
Posted by: People Power, Glasgow on 9:55pm Mon 19 May 08

Legislation and changes in the law can only realistically do so much.

Police lead intelligence, and more police work with schools to advise and support kids BEFORE THEY COMMIT SUCH CRIMES!

Better youth club provision for the youths who get lead astray or into graffitti, vandalising of the railway networks.

This is yet another problem which cannot be solved overnight, and these kind of idiots will only be intercepted, and given the punishment and indeed - rehabilitation they need, when the police start putting their officers on the beat & cut out the beurocracy.
Posted by: trench, possilpark on 11:36pm Mon 19 May 08
i totally agree with people power, especially about more beat cops out and about,glad the new system of no paper work and now done by electronic communication straight to police headquarters, names are punched in and cross checking is made, which is more professional than the usual wag of the finger and telling the primates not to be bad boys or girls, ....handcuffs should be used connecting the cuffs from hands to ankles and commanded to stay in the spot that they are put until parents are summond to take them home, no taxi service available,parents should tell their kids where they will be at all times along with the offspring who must inform parents where they will find them also.POLICE STATE?...yup its caused by inadequit parenting, ...get used to it,you caused it.
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