Rail terror as brick hurled at York train

British Transport Police are appealing for information about the attack on the 4.50pm service from Hebden Bridge to York, near Crossgates station.

A “distressed” passenger called 999 to report that a large brick had been thrown through the window at around 5.50pm on Saturday, spraying glass over a number of other people on the train.

PC David Smith, the investigating officer, said the brick “must have been thrown with some force to smash through the window of the moving train”.

Police say they want to find those responsible because of concerns the perpetrators do not realise the dangers of throwing objects at moving trains.

Pc Smith said: “Fortunately on this occasion, the brick landed on the carriage floor and no one was injured as a result. However the consequences could have been far worse.

“This was an extremely foolish and dangerous act, which put the passengers on the train in danger.

“Patrols have now been stepped up in the area to catch and deter any vandals from carrying out this type of extremely dangerous crime.

“If anyone knows who is responsible, or saw anything suspicious in and around the Crossgates station area at the time, then I would urge you to get in touch.”

In July a Leeds to Manchester train’s windscreen was shattered after yobs hurled stones as the service passed through Wakefield.

Police patrols were stepped up as a result of the incident, which took happened close to Wakefield City Golf Course and Lupset Pond.

And in May, a pram and a bicycle were hurled at a moving train in Leeds in what police called an “incredibly irresponsible and dangerous” act of vandalism. The incident in Armley came a day after a driver reported seeing three youths putting their lives on the line by walking on the track between Oldfield Lane and Wortley tunnel.

Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police by calling 0800 40 50 40 or texting 61016 quoting log 397 of 16/11/2013, or by calling Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.