TAKE TRAVEL PERKS OFF TEEN THUGS

Demands to punish violent teenagers as attacks on transport workers soar

- RUTH SUTER

TEEN thugs who cause violence on buses should have their free travel perks removed, Scotland's former justice minister has demanded.

MP Kenny MacAskill spoke out after Stagecoach bus driver and dad-of-two Keith Rollinson, 58, died following an alleged assault by a 15-year-old boy in Elgin.

Trade union Unite claims attacks on transport workers have increased since all Scots under the age of 22 were granted free bus travel in March 2021.

Dougie Maguire, Unite regional coordinator, said: "There is no doubt that the introduction of free travel for young people has coincided with an increase in attacks towards drivers on buses and at bus stations.

"This is an unavoidable fact. MacAskill has said efforts to tackle youth violence on public transport should be addressed by revoking travel passes from those who are caught causing trouble.

He told the Record: "Free travel for young people is beneficial, however, disorder and crime cannot be tolerated. Other passengers and staff have rights. Those breaching the trust given should forfeit the right for a period of time, and technology to ground them should be brought in." MacAskill argues that problems with teen disorder stem from bored youngsters taking to buses because of a lack of community facilities - due to brutal council budget cuts closing down centres and clubs.

He is backing the Daily Record's Our Kids... Our Future campaign, which has called on the Scottish Government to invest in community resources for young people after we reported on a spate of violent attacks involving children across the country.

MacAskill continued: "Part of the solution here is to ensure young people have safe spaces to go to.

"Covid has undoubtedly hit kids hard and closed down venues that they would previously have gone to.