Missiles thrown at vehicles across Merseyside’s public transport network “could cause a fatality” according to one of the region’s senior bus directors.
It was revealed in papers to the Liverpool City Region transport committee how buses throughout the region were targeted by vandals during the Halloween and Bonfire Night period of 2022. The report by Matt Goggins, Liverpool City Region assistant director for buses, said during three key nights there were 23 incidents that resulted in smashed windows compared to nine to the previous year.
Addressing the committee on the issue, Mr Goggins issued a stark warning about continuing anti-social behaviour. He said: “That’s causing us some real concern, I’m not exaggerating to say missiles thrown through bus windows could cause a fatality.
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“It’s critical we continue to work with our partners to really stamp this out across the bus network. Over the years the trend has been positive despite the setback around Halloween last year.
“Overall we are seeing a safer transport network being delivered for our people and we’ll continue that work to clamp down on anti-social behaviour (ASB) through TravelSafe and our partners.” In a bid to combat ASB, stakeholders including Liverpool Council, Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service launched Operation Banger during the period of Halloween and Bonfire Night. Despite this, reports from the fire service and city council detailed how last year, reports of crime rose.
Mr Goggins’ findings said there was also an increase in overall incidents reported by the bus companies with 80 reports of missiles being thrown and groups of people gathering compared to 48 reports the previous year. However, the increase in attempted damage and anti-social behaviour incidents can be partly attributed to improved reporting processes and communications with the bus drivers.”
Liverpool Council was told earlier this year how during the same period, 88 deliberate fires were set between October 19 and November 6, a reduction of almost 20%. A total of 28 dangerous bonfires were set during that time with 10 firework incidents noted.
MFRS said there had been five incidents involving attacks on firefighters, and none were reported after October 30. This represented a reduction of three attacks when compared to the same period in 2021.
Of the five incidents last year, four involved missiles being thrown at either fire appliances or cars. Eggs were used in two of the attacks, while a firework and stone were used in others. The other incident involved a youth hitting a fire appliance with a cricket bat.
Mr Goggins’ report said like previous years, bus operators across Merseyside instigated diversions in previous hotspot areas as soon as any buses were damaged to prevent any further incidents.
It said: “This resulted in diversions in various locations across the region, including Maghull, Netherton, West Derby, Speke, Garston Village and Princes Park gates. TravelSafe was involved in the Operation Banger policing plan and monitored incidents on the key nights since 2007 and overall has seen a long-term trend in decline of incidents.
“Significantly, this is the first year that there have been no incidents of smashed windows in the Kirkby area on the key nights and consequently no diversions.”
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