Smashing Trams

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/97188/terror-on-the-trams

Travel through the north west of England can be hazardous, the natives are restless. I remember reading teenagers in Burnley threw iron railings as spears through train roofs a few years back. Passengers had them thudding into the seats around them. Then there was that diary kept by people cruising the canals of England giving the account of attacks on them as they passed through this part of the world. The local style of driving can be quite wild at times as well. A region for dauntless travellers.

Nothing new. History repeating itself. Bored kids doing daft things with little thought and disregard for anyone or anything. It was ever thus. C'est la vie mon brave.

Not only is it nothing new, apparently it's traditional.

Greater Manchester’s Metrolink director, said: “Traditionally there tends to be an increase in youth-related anti-social behaviour during school summer holidays"

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/metrolink-rochdale-vandalism-drivers-scared-9717301

There are two schools of thought here - One - Extend the half term holidays by interspersing the six - seven weeks with one week tutorials at school in order to alleviate boredom and retain learnings of the previous terms thus = two weeks off, one week on and extending the overall period by three extra weeks. This of course isn't popular with the teaching profession or parents wanting to have more than a fortnights holiday in the summer and therefore wouldn't stand a chance. Two - eight full weeks holiday. This is for those whose argument is that the young pupils brain needs a good prolonged period of rest between semesters etc etc etc. So where do you stand.
Boredom is the cause of anti-social behaviour therefore does one extend and encompass the idea of Summer Camps for 'all' pupils between the ages of 12 - 17 in order to give them direction (and perhaps 'swotting' as part of the proceedings in order that they DON'T forget the previous terms teachings). Or - put up with the few small incidents of anti-social behaviour as part and parcel of the usual problem?

Just one of those things. Or shall we 'repair' it as is often the want of the the PC brigades.

Greater Manchester Police confirm that railway attacks are in fact, traditional.
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/police-crackdown-railway-track-trespassers-9687462

Odd use of the word "traditional", but seems to be widespread. All part of our vibrant cultural heritage.

Yes. Been traditional since before my day. I know the tradition very well. It appears more than once in my books on Rochdale (as was). And of course in some instances (still is). We deal with it and we move on - without a big hue and cry and renderings of 'more cotton wool'. We don't have the resources to patch every hole or trim every tear and the more we try to do so the less there will be for the important things when they come along - in fact there won't be anything left at all - then what???