Police have launched an investigation after a tram driver ended up in hospital following an assault at a Metrolink stop.
The driver was taking his break at the Rochdale town centre station, recognised as a hotspot for crime on the network, when a man launched the attack on him.
Greater Manchester Police have confirmed that they were called just before 7pm on Sunday (November 21) to the incident on Smith Street.
READ MORE: More than 40 youths stopped by police for anti-social behaviour on Metrolink
A spokesman added: "A TFGM staff member reported he had been assaulted by an unknown man while taking a break."
Officers are investigating, and enquiries are ongoing.
A spokesman from Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), confirmed one of their drivers had been assaulted in Rochdale.
He added: “The driver returned to the depot and later attended hospital for a brief period. The incident has been reported and is currently being investigated by both Metrolink and Greater Manchester Police.”
The incident is the latest in a series of crimes to take place on the Metrolink.
There was a 23 pc increase in anti-social behaviour and crime reported in September compared to the same month in 2019, with 233 incidents in total.
'Tram surfing' - in which people hold onto the back of a moving tram or stand between two carriages on a double tram - has also risen tenfold in that time.
There has been a 'significant increase' in reported assaults, up from nine in August to 28 in September – of which seven were directed towards staff.
In August, a 17-year-old boy was stabbed at the East Didsbury Metrolink stop.
Youths were caught congregating and throwing missiles in Radcliffe and there have been previous reports of an increase in youth-related anti-social behaviour in Rochdale.
In October, the spike in crime led to a promise from transport commissioner Chris Boardman to ramp up policing on buses and trams.
Earlier this month, meanwhile, Danny Vaughan, head of Metrolink, told the Greater Manchester Transport Committee that 'targeted joint operations' with GMP on the Bury, Rochdale and Ashton lines had resulted in some arrests of passengers engaging in anti-social behaviour.
Mr Vaughan said these joint operations will take place more regularly now police resources are not as stretched as they were during the pandemic.
Anyone who may have seen anything is being urged to get in touch with GMP. You can go to the website at www.gmp.police.uk, or by calling 101 quoting log number 2531 of 21/11/21.
