The Road Haulage Association (RHA) fears lorry drivers are being targeted by missile-throwing hooligans following an incident in Brechin.
An HGV driver had a brick thrown at his window by a child thought to be as young as 10 as he made his way down the town’s River Street.
Kate Gibbs of the RHA said it was “outrageous” that anybody could behave in such a way and called for harsh punishment for the culprit.
She said, “Why is it that people feel they can attack HGV drivers just because they are in large vehicle and are up high off the road?”
The extent of missile-throwing in the UK was recently highlighted in a survey by Autoglass that revealed 25% of people had seen their vehicles struck by objects over the past five years. However, 89% said they had not reported the incidents to the police.
More than half of those interviewed said they would like to see people imprisoned for their actions, while 8% thought a fine would be acceptable.
Mrs Gibbs said, “A lot of it will be children, but that doesn’t excuse the behaviour and it seems that somebody is going to have to be killed or seriously injured before it is taken seriously.
“This is a subject that I feel particularly strongly about because my husband is a lorry driver and he was attacked in the same way. It is a very sad state of affairs when the only way these youngsters can get their kicks is to throw missiles that could result in a fatal accident.”
Tayside Police have launched an appeal for information following the incident at around 6.50pm last Tuesday. A spokesman said, “It is down to good fortune alone that no one was injured as a result of this incident, as the recklessness and stupidity of such actions are all too obvious.
“Throwing any missile at a moving vehicle has the potential to cause serious — even fatal — injury, and puts not only the driver at risk, but also any passengers within that vehicle as well as other road users and anyone standing in the vicinity.”
The articulated vehicle was struck by a missile as it travelled east towards Arbroath. The boy who threw the brick is described as being between 10 to 14 years old, with thick, long, sandy blond hair. He had a pale face. He was wearing an earring and a navy hooded jacket with a shiny silver pattern on it.
Tayside Police are appealing to anyone who can help trace the person responsible to call 0300 111 2222 or to speak to any officer.