Virtual reality headsets are poised to be used to give youngsters an insight into the real impact missile attacks on trains, trams and buses have on passengers and drivers.
Transport bosses want them to be thrust 'into the shoes' of staff and commuters after admitting attacks on public transport have 'become far too common' across Greater Manchester over the last 12 months. They hope the VR headset scheme currently being developed will shock them into realising what the consequences are of throwing a brick, firework or other missile at a moving vehicle.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) successfully won Home Office funding for the project after a joint bid with British Transport Police. Currently, TfGM is going through a procurement process to find a provider for the headsets and the VR software.
It's envisaged the software will involve attack scenarios - with the headset wearer sitting in the seat of a driver or passenger when a missile hits.
Exactly how the project would work is still being developed, but it's set to be led by the Greater Manchester TravelSafe Partnership and could be taken around schools as part of the sector's educational scheme, or even offered to yobs caught in the act.
Transport bosses say attacks on the public transport network across Greater Manchester over the last year 'have become far too common', with staff and passengers being injured in some shocking cases.
The Manchester Evening News has already revealed a shocking average of 242 incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour PER MONTH were reported on and around Greater Manchester's Metrolink network over the last 12 months. That equates to an annual total of 2,904 - or around 60 reports every week.
Latest available figures, for November last year, reveal there were 28 reported incidents of anti-social behaviour on the network, 23 reported assaults and 61 cases of damage. The figures also show there were 52 reported incidents of harassment and intimidation, 17 robberies or thefts and six incidents involving weapons.
"The line with the highest number of reported incidents is the Oldham - Rochdale line with 67 incidents reported," reveals a new TfGM report presented to councillors at a transport committee meeting. "Forty of the incidents on the Oldham - Rochdale line have been youth-related with the Rochdale town centre and Freehold stops reported as hotspots, with accounts of fireworks being thrown at these locations.
"The Bury line has seen increased GMP patrols due to a rise in reported incidents at the Crumpsall stop, half of which have been linked to groups of youths in the area. The incidents primarily involve youths engaging in anti-social behaviour, including throwing fireworks, trespass on the track and suspected drug-dealing."
Vicky Mercer, TfGM's Metrolink Service Delivery Manager, said education was key to changing behaviours in the longer term.
She told the committee that over the last academic year, TfGM 'engaged with over 50,000 youths across Greater Manchester'.
"From the start of this academic year, we are already over 12,000 engagements and work continues," she said, also highlighting the work of the 'crucial crew' team within schools - which uses scenarios to encourage and promote personal safety and good citizenship.
"Virtual reality headsets are being procured as a powerful means of putting some of these youth offenders into the shoes of a tram driver or a bus driver when an incident occurs. These are not premeditated activities - these are just off the cuff, 'I'm just going to create a bit of trouble here'.
"They don't understand the impact that that has on an individual and to put them in the shoes of that driver, and what that does to them, I think will be a really powerful addition to the suite that we have got available for that. That's all being worked up at the moment - another tool to our kit."
Kate Green, TfGM’s TravelSafe Partnership Manager, told then M.E.N.: "We are delighted to have been awarded this funding alongside British Transport Police to tackle this very serious issue in a new and innovative way.
"Over the last year attacks on our public transport, particularly buses, trams and trains, have become far too common. These incidents have left both transport staff and passengers seriously injured in some cases, and have had a knock-on effect on the delivery of services.
"These incidents tend to be opportunistic rather than pre-meditated, so the TravelSafe Partnership will be looking to use immersive software utilising virtual reality to put young people in the seat of a train/bus/tram driver or passenger to get an idea of what it's like when these incidents happen.
"If successful, we hope that this can be developed as part of TravelSafe's overall educational offer where we engaged with over 50,500 young people during the last academic year."
British Transport Police Superintendent Alison Evans said: "It is a really positive step that BTP and TfGM are working together to educate those who use public transport around the dangers to themselves and others of behaving anti-socially, particularly throwing stones or trespassing.
"Virtual reality is a great way to reach a wide range of audiences, but particularly children and young people who are not always aware of the dangers to public transport or who put themselves at risk through their behaviour."
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