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Police hunt gun-toting louts after tram attacks
POLICE are hunting gun-toting louts after a spate of terrifying attacks on Blackpool's famous seafront trams.
There have been three shocking incidents in Fleetwood in less than a week.
In the latest attack, passengers described how a "sniper" shot out windows with an air gun and how a pellet missed their heads by inches.
American tourist Barry Simmonds, who was travelling onboard with his 87-year-old mother, said: "There was a tremendous crash and both windows at the front of the tram to the left and right were shattered by a bullet from an unseen sniper hiding in the trees."
Mr Simmonds, 49, who is visiting family in Cleveleys from Los Angeles, added: "The tram came to a screeching halt. One passenger was showered in broken glass, as the bullet missed his head by inches. It was like being in LA or the Wild West."
Mr Simmonds said the shocked passengers were "cowering in fear" before a conductor led them off the vehicle to safety.
The incident happened at around 11.30am on Thursday, just after the Broadwater Avenue stop, and only two days after another attack.
At 5.30pm on Tuesday, a tram at Lingfield Road, Fleetwood, was targeted by a person armed with an airgun, and a door was damaged.
And last Sunday a youth standing on the tram tracks threw a stone at another vehicle, again at the Broadwater stop, smashing a window on the upper floor.
In July, The Gazette revealed how an elderly couple were left covered in shards of glass after the second of two airgun attacks on consecutive nights in Rossall.
Police in Wyre say they are now carrying out investigations to determine whether the incidents are connected.
Insp Dave Vickers said: "In this latest incident two windows were smashed by a missile. We can't say whether it's a BB gun, pellet gun, catapult or stone - we are carrying out investigations.
"Fortunately nobody has been injured yet, but whoever is doing this is not only causing damage to public transport but it could lead to injury to members of the public.
"I want to send out a clear message that the offenders will be dealt with robustly."
Insp Vickers added police will now be travelling on trams in uniform and plain clothes.
He said: "Members of the neighbourhood policing team will be travelling on trams both in uniform and plain clothes to reassure members of the public."
Steve Burd, managing director of Blackpool Transport, said he was very concerned by the incidents and was working closely with police to trace whoever is responsible.
He said: "It's an extremely foolish thing to do because with any missile of any type there is a risk of injury."
Anyone with information on the incidents should contact the police on (01253) 876611 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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