Group of 'unruly' youths smash Edinburgh tram window as spike in anti-social behaviour continues

Edinburgh Trams believes a group of ‘unruly’ youths smashed a vehicles window following a string of anti-social behaviour incidents across the Capital, forcing them to remove one of their services last night.

At around 6.50pm on Wednesday, March 24, an ‘object’ was thrown at a tram, smashing a hopper window as it was approaching Saughton Tram stop.

There were no injuries to anyone on board and Edinburgh Trams said they are unsure of what was thrown at the tram.

The incident came thirty minutes after a ‘group of kids’ were refused passage on the trams for anti-social behaviour which the company believe led to the window smashing.

Edinburgh Trams believes a group of ‘unruly kids' smashed a tram window following a string of anti-social behaviour incidents across the Capital (Photo: Ian Rutherford).

A spokesman for Edinburgh Trams said: “We believe it was related to an earlier incident where we had a group of kids who were refused on the tram at Edinburgh Park station for being unruly and then they were then seen walking further along the tracks after that and then subsequently an object thrown at the trams.”

Edinburgh Trams have put out more mobile patrols to respond to anything that happens, however, added they are prepared to pull their service altogether ‘if needs be’.

The incident comes as buses that service West Granton Road, Muirhouse Parkway, Pennywell Gardens and Pennywell Road are being diverted from the area.

Both Edinburgh Trams and Lothian Buses are working closely with the police to clamp down on anti-social behaviour across Edinburgh.

Jon McCulley, operations manager at Edinburgh Trams said: “The safety of our colleagues and our customers is our number one priority.

“Objects being thrown at trams is reckless and extremely dangerous for everyone on board.

“We are working closely with Police Scotland on the recent spike in anti social behaviour and using CCTV to identify the individuals responsible and hold them to account.

“Thankfully no one was injured in last night’s attack but I’d strongly urge parents to talk to their children about what is acceptable behaviour before something more serious occurs.”

The smashed window incident has not caused any wider disruption to tram services across Edinburgh, according to the company, however they added that any damage causes a “financial impact.”

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