Police have fired a warning after shocking footage emerged of two men appearing to be assaulted at a Metrolink stop in Rochdale. Footage shared with the Manchester Evening News yesterday (May 31) appeared to show a man being hurled onto the tracks at Newbold, after another man could be seen on the ground.
The bystander who shot the footage described the moment two 'old men' were attacked by youngsters who could be seen 'laughing about it'. Greater Manchester Police says the two men suffered minor injuries following the incident - and the force is warning youngsters that 'this dangerous behaviour' will not be tolerated.
In a statement issued this morning (Wednesday), Sgt Matt Honey of GMP's Pennine neighbourhood policing team said: "An investigation has been launched into an incident that occurred on Newbold Metrolink on Saturday, May 29. Two male victims were verbally abused then assaulted by a group [of] youths and they have sustained minor injuries.
"The Kingsway and Kirkholt neighbourhood policing are leading the investigation and supporting the victims. Enquiries are still ongoing and we are working with Metrolink staff, Rochdale Council and local schools.
"Just to be clear, this dangerous behaviour on tram stops will not be tolerated and we will take positive action on individuals who are identified. Neighbourhood officers will increase patrols at these locations so if you have any concerns people speak with one of the team."
Footage appears to show a man on all fours as shouting and screaming can be heard around him. A short time later, a second man can be seen falling head first onto the tram tracks and writhing in pain, before eventually walking away from the group of youths.
The video has since been shared thousands of times on Facebook. The woman who filmed it told the M.E.N. : "I got off the tram and saw the kid punch the old man to the ground and started filming to get their faces.
"I wasn't expecting the other man to be thrown off. Everyone including the man who got punched said it was because he had asked them to stop vaping on the tram and he got slapped whilst on there, then it spilled out into what I saw when the tram stopped."
Anyone with information in connection with the incident is urged to email rochdaleeast@gmp.police.uk
