Northern Rail has offered a £500 reward after thrown bricks smashed into trains in Leyland.

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Two of the incidents occurred on Saturday evenings as Northern services travelled through Leyland. The third and most recent on a Tuesday afternoon near St Helens.

As each train passed under a bridge, they were struck by a brick, smashing the windscreen of two and the headlights of another.

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Northern is now offering a reward to anyone who provides information that leads to a conviction following the incidents in Leyland on Saturday 9 and Saturday 16 October, and in St Helens on Tuesday 19 October.

Chris Jackson, Regional Director at Northern, said: “It’s hard to believe that anyone would put the safety of others at risk by such reckless behaviour.

“The consequences of a brick hitting a fast-moving train are potentially devastating. It’s only through good fortune that no one was seriously hurt.”

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A British Transport Police investigation is underway, and the train operator has now stepped in to help appeal for further information.

Chris added: “Officers are investigating, and I am appealing to anyone with information about either incident to come forward.

“Someone will know who did this, and we need to find them before they do something similar, which may have far worse consequences.”

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Those with information can contact BTP by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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