Youths pelt trams with bricks and stones

Trams were targeted near the Failsworth Metrolink stop

Children were among a number of passengers who were showered with broken glass as youths hurled bricks and stones at trams in Failsworth last night (Thursday).

Services were forced to grind to a halt between Rochdale and Manchester Victoria as a gang of teens were seen pelting carriages close to the Failsworth Metrolink stop.

Commuters were urged by Metrolink staff to move away from the windows and doors for fear of more attacks.

One unnamed passenger told the Chronicle: "I was stood in front of a window heading in towards Manchester from Oldham when an object hit it. It was so loud.

"I heard that around four separate trams were targeted.

"When my tram got to Newton Heath we were asked to get off it and we had to wait around 20 minutes for another one to arrive.

"It was quite scary."

Metrolink posted on Twitter shortly before 7pm: “Due to an act of vandalism, the Rochdale line is currently suspended. Passengers can use tickets and passes on the 58, 59, 81, 83, 181 and 182 bus services. Sorry for any inconvenience caused.”

They added at 7.44pm: “Services are now running through on the Rochdale line but we are operating with some minor delays.”

Nobody is understood to have been injured.