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Wednesday, 9 April, 2003, 15:01 GMT 16:01 UK

Rail police hunt soccer yobs

First Great Western train Police are trying to track down 250 football hooligans who smashed up a train and terrorised passengers at a railway station.

A 250-strong mob of Swansea City supporters fought with police and wrecked a train at Cardiff Central station on their way back home from their team's game in Shrewsbury on Saturday.

Damage valued at around £10,000 was caused to two carriages of a First Great Western train, which later had to be taken out of service for repairs.

Passengers had to be transferred to different trains.

" These hooligans caused fear, thousands of pounds worth of damage and disruption to passengers' journeys "
Malcolm McKinnon of British Transport Police

Two people were arrested at the time.

One has been charged with a public order offence and criminal damage and the other with a public order offence.

But British Transport Police (BTP) have set up an incident room in a bid to track down more of those involved in the incident.

They have organised an eight-strong team to work on Operation Thunderbird, who are reviewing CCTV pictures of the clashes, which were sparked when Swansea fans trying to reach Cardiff City fans on different platforms.

Detective Inspector Malcolm McKinnon, of BTP in Cardiff, said on Wednesday: "This was serious disorder.

'Damage'

"These hooligans caused fear, thousands of pounds worth of damage and disruption to passengers' journeys.

"The trouble started when the Swansea fans tried to get to Cardiff fans on other platforms.

"They caused damage to a train of around £10,000 and we have set up an operation purely to identify those responsible.

"We will be doing everything we can to catch up with them and bring them before the courts."

Repairs

A spokesman for First Great Western added: "It is inconvenient for our passengers that we are having to take our trains out of service to get them repaired.

"Windows were smashed and the interior of two carriages was damaged.

"We had set aside the two carriages for the Swansea fans, but we had to move passengers on to different trains."

Dog handlers and officers from South Wales Police were called to the station to help British Transport Police control the fans.

Several BTP and police officers suffered facial injuries during the disturbances.

Anyone with information can contact Operation Thunderbird officers on 0800 40 50 40 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.


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Related to this story:
Helicopters to cut rail vandalism (07 Aug 02  |  England )
West Midlands worst for rail vandalism (16 Jul 01  |  UK News )
Vandalism threat to rail safety (18 Dec 00  |  Scotland )
Rail watchdog highlights vandalism danger (22 Dec 99  |  Wales )
Train vandalised by football fans (06 Apr 03  |  Wales )

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British Transport Police
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