New Metro train window smashed by 'missile'
BBCA new Metro train has been hit with its first major act of vandalism.
Operator Nexus said it was the first time one of its new Tyne and Wear Metro trains had had a window shattered.
Northumbria Police said the train was targeted with a "missile-style" object at about 14:30 BST on Tuesday as it passed through the Tynemouth and Cullercoats area.
Previously the Stadler-built fleet was daubed with graffiti on the journey to the North East.
Vandals also managed to deface one of the first of the trains to arrive in the country in 2023.
Kevin Storey, operations director at Nexus, said all 44 of the CCTV cameras, including 28 on board the carriage and 16 exterior ones, would be checked to try and find the perpetrator.
He said the damaged train was withdrawn and returned to the Gosforth depot for repairs, but was now back in service.
It is hoped the rollout of the new fleet of 46 trains will be completed by the end of next year, replacing the Metro's existing stock.
There have been issues with the Stadler fleet in recent weeks, with their air con systems suffering leaks during hot weather and an incident in which a train's doors opened on the wrong side.