A TAMESIDE railway station was the scene of one of only eight attacks on trains in the last 12 months.
Operator Northern has reported a drop of almost 90 per cent on recorded incidents, a reduction from 69.
But Hyde North saw one of the increasingly rare occurrences when stones were thrown at a passing locomotive.
A service from Manchester Piccadilly to Rose Hill Marple was struck as it travelled through the Johnsonbrook Road facility.
Thankfully, that was only one of a small number of attacks and the only one involving a Northern vehicle recorded in Tameside.
The statistics relate to trains being struck by objects thrown from bridges, railway embankments and stations or those which collide with ‘substantial items’ deliberately placed on the track.
There were five additional reports of trains striking objects on the track, however these were attributed to strong winds during bad weather and are not being treated as suspicious.
Tricia Williams, chief operating officer at Northern, said: “Each and every incident recorded represents a serious danger to the passengers and train crew involved and we appeal to anyone involved in this criminal activity to stop.
“Fortunately, the appetite for committing these senseless acts is clearly in decline – not least of all because the chance of being ‘caught on camera’ is now far greater.
“That said, we certainly won’t be resting on our laurels.
“These statistics should stand at zero and we will continue to work with community partners across the region and our colleagues at Network Rail to identify the perpetrators and support British Transport Police with any prosecutions brought before the courts.”
Anyone who witnesses items being thrown at trains or sees someone placing items on the track should contact British Transport Police immediately by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Rail users can also download British Transport Police’s Railway Guardian app, which allows users to report crimes or concerns on the rail network.