Vandalism, abuse, missile-throwing and other anti-social behaviour from schoolchildren on the tram and bus network have become an ‘acute and chronic’ problem since Greater Manchester’s lockdowns, according to police and security bosses.
While bus and tram stops have always been a magnet for young people to congregate, there’s been a sharp uptick when it comes to anti-social behaviour (ASB), particularly from repeat offenders. And this concerning trend is thought to be, at least in part, yet another damaging impact of Covid-19.
Although passenger numbers plummeted during lockdowns and the overall incidents of crime alongside them, youth-related anti-social behaviour spiked. As well as causing major issues for passengers and staff, the rise in ASB among children, some as young as 11, also sparked concerns around safeguarding, as it can often stem from other issues in their lives.
