Teen shone laser in face of train driver at Longton station
POLICE today condemned the actions of a teenager who almost caused a rail crash by shining a laser pen directly into the eyes of a train driver.
The culprit was part of a gang of young people hanging around at Longton station when the incident happened just as a train was passing through the station.
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INCIDENT: Longton train station.
The driver of the Crewe-to-Derby service managed to keep control, despite the glare from the object that was being deliberately flashed in his face.
But by the time police arrived at the scene, the youth responsible for the incident had run away from the station.
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British Transport Police today urged anyone with information about the person involved to come forward.
And they also warned that lives were being put at risk in North Staffordshire by the thoughtless behaviour of vandals at train stations or alongside train tracks.
The train was travelling through the station just before 6pm on Thursday, February 14, when the drama unfolded.
Details of the incident have only just been released by transport police.
Inspector Sonja Simister, officer in charge at British Transport Police, said: "I cannot over emphasise the danger of actions such as these.
"I call on anyone who knows those responsible, or who has information about the incident, to come forward."
The train driver, who is not believed to have been hurt, reported the incident straight afterwards.
Inspector Simister added: "He reported youths had shone a laser pen into his eyes.
"This not only distracted the driver, but could have had serious consequences as the driver's eyes were momentarily affected by the pen."
Councillor Kath Banks, who represents the Longton West area on Stoke-on-Trent City Council, also branded the actions of the youths as 'irresponsible'.
She said: "They don't realise how much damage they can do through something like this. You can also damage a person's eyes with a laser pen.
"We have got a problem with laser pens and we have to sort it out.
"This was a very silly, irresponsible thing to do and it put lives in danger."
A spokesman for East Midlands Trains, which runs Longton Station, said: "This kind of behaviour is totally irresponsible and we will work with our BTP colleagues to ensure the offenders are apprehended quickly."
Anyone with information about the incident should contact British Transport Police on 0800 405040.
Alternatively, they can ring the confidential Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555111.
17 Comments
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by OddSock
Thursday, February 28 2013, 1:41AM
“@ moan... end of the day if caught probably a caution if first offence,i'm not saying birch them all,but they do it for a reason its a laugh, when 2 coppers are beaten up by a thug one coppers "brain shook" & the p.o.s walks free its the green light for everyone to commit crime,cameron says don't jail prisons are full,he cuts the police by 20% yet he has 24-7 armed guards HE IS SATIN'S SPERM & HE BELONGS IN THE HAGUE FULL STOP...do gooders respond....”
by Moanamanna
Thursday, February 28 2013, 1:25AM
“That below all said. Loved the GATSO remark!! Can't say it's wrong. Those bloody things are like the sun!!”
by Moanamanna
Thursday, February 28 2013, 1:22AM
“Which Oddsock, shouldn't be a problem if you are doing nothing illegal. Besides, these youngsters were being foolish if nothing else. Hardly crime of the century I admit, but it needs dealing with and just to moan about the numbers of CCTV cameras( not actually monitored by the "busys" but by civilians who really couldn't care less what you are doing so long as its not breaking the law, as with busys come to think of it) is a bit irresponsible in itself. If you do have a legit issue with them then I suggest you either comment on a story relevant to the issue, or, write to your MP. the fact is, CCTV is on train stations to protect the law abiding and largely against terrorism as the railways are a legitimate target. Of course we could remove them and take our chances. But, if we did, and as an army officer, I wouldn't feel entirely comfortable on some platforms at night and I'm sure I am pleased they are there when my mum, partner or kids have to use the train at any time. Come on guys, excuse the pun, but lets look at the bigger picture before just going off on one like I just have!!”
by OddSock
Wednesday, February 27 2013, 4:19PM
“big brother britain,there are CCTV cameras everywhere you can't fa.rt without the busys knowing this day & age...”
by thorthought
Sunday, February 24 2013, 5:47PM
“the driver is earning his /hers living and does not deserve that from doing his /hers profession and the idiot responsable has no regaurd for peoples lives...”
by Notanumber
Sunday, February 24 2013, 1:46PM
“The seriousness of this event is that if the driver is blinded then he can't possibly see signals, it takes anything up to a mile to stop a train depending upon load and speed. This is not OTT reporting. As another post here mentions, what happens if other vehicles are targeted? There are other forms of transport too that I won't mention so as not to give the prat ideas, they also suffer from idiotic acts such as this. How long before this moronic and childish person moves in that direction. And if the culprit happens to be reading this, grow up you stupid little twerp, how old are you.? Five?”
by Huey_Hog
Saturday, February 23 2013, 10:26PM
“Anyone flashed in the face by a GATSO at night might have sympathy with the driver.”
by deluded366
Saturday, February 23 2013, 1:57PM
“I think you all misunderstand my post.
I'm not defending the oik who did this, just stating that the reporting in this artical is a little OTT.”
by JonWoolley
Saturday, February 23 2013, 1:57PM
“Silly fools for doing this. I see where you are coming from Deluded366 as the train driver couldn't of swerved because of the glare etc, but the idiot who did this wants catching before he shines it in a car or lorry drivers eyes and causes devastation on the road.
I have one of these pens, and use it to play with my dogs, and cats with, they love to chase it up and down, and believe me for just a small battery powered pen these could cause temporary loss of sight and in that split second who knows what could happen.
I hope the culprit gets caught.”
by A_Reader
Saturday, February 23 2013, 11:49AM
“The punishment wouldn't be much if they caught him anyway. Community cloud watching, if that.”