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Chronicle Live
National
Sophie Doughty

"Totally unacceptable": Police and Metro boss blast station thugs after two teens attacked in one night

Metro bosses have warned train thugs will be banned from the system after two teenagers were attacked in one night.

The Chronicle revealed yesterday how the victims, both aged 16, were assaulted by at Palmersville Metro Station and near Tynemouth Metro Station at around 11pm on Saturday.

Both incidents involved groups of offenders, but police do not believe they are linked.

Read more: Battered on his birthday: Mum's horror as son dragged off Metro and beaten on way home from celebrating his sixteenth

Officers are still hunting the attackers.

And today Tyne and Wear Metro's Operation's Director has warned their behaviour will not be accepted.

And John Alexander explained station CCTV was being checked in a bid to track down the thugs.

He said: "The incidents which happened at the weekend are totally unacceptable. Our customers have the right to travel safely and not have to contend with anti-social behaviour like this.

“Anyone who causes trouble on Metro faces prosecution, heavy fines, and a ban from the network.

“We are doing all that we can to help the police find the people who carried out these attacks, which are not linked, and bring them before the courts.

“We are supporting the police with their investigations into the two assaults which occurred on or close to Metro at the weekend in North Tyneside.

“This includes the review of CCTV footage from our network of 750 cameras on the system.

“If anyone has information about the incidents which occurred at the weekend we urge them to contact the police.”

A GSCE student suffered a terrifying ordeal when he was dragged from a train as he made his way home after celebrating his sixteenth birthday, the Chronicle reported yesterday.

Police at North Shields Metro Station (Newcastle Chronicle)

The lad, from Newcastle, was left with facial injuries following the attack at Palmersville Metro Station.

His mum, who asked not to be named, said she believes it was a case of mistaken identity.

She told the Chronicle: "He actually got on the Metro and was dragged off it by a group of kids. They dragged him up the stairs. He was cornered by about 20 lads and girls. They kicked, punched and head-butted him.

"I think it was mistaken identity. One of the girls there said: 'I think we've got the wrong one'."

And the mum said she would not be letting her son travel by Metro again.

Palmersville Metro Station (TimMcGuinness/ChronicleLive)

She added: "It's just awful. It's the worst feeling in the world knowing your child has been attacked.

"There's no way he's getting on the Metro again. Unfortunately it's going to cost me a lot of money as it will all be taxi jobs from now on."

We also told how police were investigating an attack near Tynemouth Metro Station, in which another lad suffered head injuries.

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: "At about 11pm on Saturday we received a report of an assault at Tynemouth Metro Station.

"It was reported that a 16-year-old male had been assaulted by a group of offenders, who then made off from the scene. The victim suffered non-life threatening injuries to his head.

"Enquiries are ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact police."

The Chronicle understands this incident happened close to the station but not inside.

A police officer at Monument Metro Station (Newcastle Chronicle)

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.”

Mr Alexander said Metro staff were working with police to identify crime and anti-social behaviour hotspots on the network.

He added: “Nexus annually spends £1m on dedicated policing on Metro, we have increased staffing levels on the network, and we run regular joint patrols with the Northumbria Force in order to pinpoint trouble spots and deter anti-social behaviour and fare evasion.

“Crime rates remain low for a transport system of its size. Serious crime is rare, but when it does occur we work closely with the police to deal with it."

Anyone with information about either attack should call Northumbria Police on 101.

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