Three trains have been damaged after having bricks thrown at them in the past two weeks.

Northern have offered a £500 reward for anyone who provides information which leads to a conviction after two trains were hit in Leyland on Saturday 9 and Saturday 16 October and another train was struck in St Helens yesterday (October 19).

As each train passed under a bridge it was struck by a brick, smashing the windscreen of two and the headlights of another.

Regional Director at Northern, Chris Jackson said: “It’s hard to believe that anyone would put the safety of others at risk by such reckless behaviour.

“The consequences of a brick hitting a fast-moving train are potentially devastating. It’s only through good fortune that no-one was seriously hurt.”

A British Transport Police (BTP) investigation is already underway, and the train operator has now stepped in to help appeal for further information.

Chris added: “Officers are investigating, and I am appealing to anyone with information about either incident to come forward. Someone will know who did this and we need to find them before they do something similar which may have far worse consequences.”

Anyone with information can contact BTP by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40. Alternatively, people can call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.