Police officers to ride on Darwen bus service after vandalism

3:46pm Sunday 27th April 2008

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A BUS will have police officers on board after bricks were thrown at the vehicle as it travelled through a Darwen village.

The number 15 bus run by Darwen Coach Services was diverted away from Hoddlesden for three weeks when youths smashed the windows on two occasions as it made its way through the village in the evenings.

The lifeline' service from Blackburn to Springvale has been resumed by Darwen Coach services after police officers said they would travel on the bus in the evenings in a bid to catch the culprits and protect the driver and passengers.

The bus company is also looking at installing CCTV on the buses.

Neighbourhood police officers are also holding sessions with youngsters at Hoddlesden Youth Club about anti-social behaviour.

Simon Crook, transport manager for Darwen Coach Services, said: "This bus route is a life line to the village.

"I can accept one incident but I pulled the service from Hoddlesden after it happened again. The safety of driver and passengers must come first.

"We are doing all we can to prevent this sort of thing.

"It is only a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt.

"The people who are doing this need to be stopped and punished."

Darwen Neighbourhood Policing Team Sergeant Karen Sledge said: "Police officers will be travelling on the buses to reduce any anti-social behaviour that may occur on public transport services and surrounding areas to ensure that people can travel safely around Hoddlesden.

"Anyone with information about anti-social behaviour or about specific times the problems are occurring is asked to come forward and contact police."

Coun Julie Slater, for the East Rural ward, said: "The bus is used regularly by the Hoddlesden community and if bricks are being thrown by youths at the buses the safety of drivers and the passengers has to come first.

"I hope that the police will catch the youths an their presence will deter them."

The attacks on the bus occurred at 8pm on March 6 and 10pm on March 13.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0845 1 25 35 45.