Yobs who bring fear and misery to Tyneside's famous public transport system have sparked fury among Chronicle readers.
Passengers have been left shocked and disturbed by a spate of violent and anti-social incidents that have happened around the Metro network over recent weeks.
Last week we told how a 16-year-old lad was dragged off a train at Palmersville and attacked by a group of thugs as he tried to make his way home. The boy's dad today branded the transport system a "no go area".
Then on Monday night Metro operators took the unusual decision not to stop trains at Tynemouth after a large group of yobs gathered on the platform making it unsafe for passengers to get off. A Nexus security worker was also assaulted in the incident.
Now Chronicle readers have been taking to social media to share their experience of travelling by Metro as they call for increased security and policing on the system.
Andy Montana wrote: "The metro is a chav magnet and more than often incidents of antisocial behaviour/violence are only responded to after the event with little or no resource given to prevention."
Ruth Turnbull added: "The metro was dangerous 20 years ago. So glad I learned to drive. Definitely wouldn't use it at night either. I'm sick with worry when my kids say they're using it."
And Mick Garrett posted: "The Metro has been a no go after around 7pm for years, absolute disgrace."
While Andrea Slater added "Certain parts of the Metro system have always been a no go area at night. The only bit I ever felt safe on was the bit from Central as far as South Gosforth. It was a bus or taxi job home if I needed to get anywhere else."
We revealed yesterday how security had been stepped up at Tynemouth Metro Station after an incident on Monday night, in which a member of Nexus security staff was assaulted and a train window broken.
Northumbria Police had to be called to help disperse the large crowd of troublesome teens that had gathered on the Metro platform.
And for around half an hour trains did not stop at Tynemouth amid fears for the safety of passengers getting off.
Nexus, which runs the Metro, says it will have a security team at the station for the rest of the school Easter holidays.
And there will also now be police patrolling the platforms at Tynemouth.
Nexus' Customer Services Director, Huw Lewis, has warned that anyone causing trouble on the Metro will face action.
He said: "We will never accept any level of anti-social behaviour on public transport, or any form of assaults towards our team or customers using public transport. We are working closely with the police and local authorities, with the help of the Police and Crime Commissioner, and will use all available resources we have.
“People who cause trouble on Metro face prosecution, and persistent offenders will be banned from the network, or could see their families evicted from council homes where they are a wider nuisance in the community.
“The vast majority of our customers enjoy comfortable, trouble-free journeys without coming across the anti-social behaviour we saw at Tynemouth last night. But these incidents are unsettling for people that do see them and with the help of the police and local authorities we want to address them head-on."
Northumbria Police has also vowed to tackle the problem.
Sgt Tim Hand of Northumbria Police’s Metro Unit said: “Our main priority is to ensure that passengers can enjoy the Metro in a safe and hassle-free environment.
“We run regular operations and patrols throughout the Metro system, together with our partners, to ensure the safety of passengers.
“Over the past few weeks, we have been made aware of a number of reports of crime and disorder on trains across the network .
“This type of behaviour is totally unacceptable and we will take robust action against anybody who brings misery to their fellow passengers or staff.”
But Chronicle readers want to see even more action.
Josh Wakim said: "Way too many groups of lads and lasses hanging around metros. They ain't all kids either. Most are in their late teens and early 20s. They need more cameras and multiple security on trains and at stations."
And Neal Walsh added: "Disgusting, need more improvement on stations security and cameras."
