A 13-year-old boy who hurled abuse at commuters and misbehaved on the trams has had his free Oyster card taken away.

The child from South Croydon, who cannot be named for legal reasons, temporarily surrendered his Oyster card, which allows him free travel in the borough, earlier this year for misbehaving on the trams.

However, a council spokesman said: “He’d clearly not learned his lesson as on September 2, the town centre’s PCSO team were called to a disturbance at West Croydon bus station.

“The boy and two friends had been causing problems all day, and they continued to hurl abusive language at the police officers when they arrived on the scene.”

The boy was arrested and charged for a public order offence and council and police officers revoked his free travel because of his lack of respect for passengers and transport staff.

He may be able to earn back his Oyster card after he has completed voluntary work in the community.

Councillor Steve O’Connell, cabinet member for safety, said: “Free travel for young people in Croydon is a privilege - it is not a fundamental right. Most people earn this privilege by simply behaving in a normal and acceptable way when using public transport.

“Anyone who abuses the system should not be surprised to find that their Oyster card gets cancelled.”