Tram seat set on fire

Date published: 01 February 2012

Police are appealing for witnesses after a seat on a tram was set on fire.

At around 10.30pm on Sunday 2 January 2012, a number of men aged between 16 and 20 walked on a tram at Bury Metrolink.
One of the group set fire to an item and placed it on the seat.

The group watched it burn before they got off at the Besses O’ the Barn stop.

The seat continued to burn before the driver was alerted to the fire and it was extinguished.

It is thought there were six people in the group with one wearing a black bobble hat, jacket, tracksuit pants and white headphones around his neck.

Now police have issued an image of a person wanted in connection with the incident.

Detective Constable Lindsey Worrall from Bury CID said: “I would urge members of the community to take a good look at the image and if they recognise the person to contact us.

“Damage was not only caused to the seat but the tram was forced to be taken out of service, costing the company money.

“Thankfully no one was hurt but if the fire had not been spotted by a passenger and the driver alerted, the incident may have been a lot more serious.”

Anyone with information should phone police on 0161 856 8162 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.