Yobs who threw a missile at a train, smashing a window and causing widespread delays, have been criticised by police.
The incident comes just days after National Railway Crime Week urged young people to stay away from railway lines.
The train was attacked just outside Tilbury on the c2c line on Thursday.
A missile was hurled from the side of the tracks by youths. It smashed a passenger window.
Witness Dev Appadurai said: "Less than a minute before Tilbury Town station, I heard a loud crack.
"I noticed a young woman change her seat and then noticed the window near her original seat was completely shattered.
"A missile had struck the window less than 12 inches from her face."
A c2c spokesman said the train was later taken out of service, causing delays.
Statistics released as part of the railway crime week revealed there are more than 1,200 reported cases of railway crime in East Anglia every year.
Published Monday, June 30, 2003
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