Teen arrested after ball bearings allegedly fired at trains at Cambridge North

A teenager has been arrested after a series of alleged attacks on trains using Cambridge North station.

Greater Anglia drivers have accused the operator of coercing them to continuing to operate services into Cambridge North station, despite attacks on its trains.

There were more than 20 alleged attacks on GA trains over three consecutive weekends in January and February, as they arrived at the station’s bay platform. 

On February 2, the situation had become so serious that several drivers refused to drive the route, saying they feared for their lives. but following a top-level meeting on February 4, it was agreed to draft in additional police officers and provide a 24/7 presence for a week at Water Lane level crossing (the location where it is believed the shots are coming from).

Drivers had accused the operator of coercing them to continue operating services into Cambridge North. A GA spokesman told RAIL the operator was working with British Transport Police to see what further action was necessary.

Network Rail deployed its own mobile managers and security teams to bolster the police presence before BTP confirmed that a 16-year-old from Cambridge was arrested on February 14 on suspicion of endangering safety on the railway.

He has been released on police bail and enquiries are ongoing.

No further incidents were reported after the step up in security in the area.