Families shot at during fun day at Severn Valley Railway

Police are investigating three separate incidents, which left one man injured and four large windows broken at the popular tourist attraction.

Four "older teenagers" fired an air rifle at Severn Valley Railway trains, near Bewdley Tunnel, at around 1.15pm on Sunday, as the attraction held a "Thomas the Tank Engine" fun day.

Just over an hour later, police received further reports that youths were throwing stones at a train as it came out of the tunnel between Kidderminster and Bewdley.

Windows were smashed and the Red Cross treated a passenger for a minor eye injury.

Dangerous

At 4.40pm the same day, children were again spotted throwing objects - believed to be stones - on to the track near the tunnel.

John Leach, a spokesman for the Severn Valley Railway, based in Bewdley, said it was a "disappointing" situation.

"I don't think that many people realise how dangerous it is being by the trackside, even though our trains go relatively slowly," he said.

"The one injured man was dealt with on the spot but we had to take full-time staff off their duties to replace the windows so there was a financial aspect to the incident.

"For it to happen on a weekend specifically aimed at families is particularly disappointing."

A police spokesman said: "This may seem like a game to those involved but we can not stress how serious this is.

"This irresponsible behaviour resulted in injury to one man who should have been enjoying a relaxing day with his family and it could easily have had much more serious consequences," said a spokesman.

"We urge parents to remind children about the dangers of playing near railway lines.

"We would also remind people that it is an offence to carry an air rifle in a public place and this includes unloaded air rifles, imitation firearms and BB guns."

Anyone with information should contact Kidderminster police on 08457 444888 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.