UNDERCOVER police are taking to the buses in a bid to stamp out juvenile crime on public transport in Burnley.

Last month bus company bosses refused to let vehicles travel to Briercliffe after reports that youths were preparing to stone vehicles at the bus turning circle on Burnley Road, Harle Syke.

But it was only the latest in a long line of incidents affecting bus journeys in the town.

No passengers have been injured in any of the attacks, which have occurred across the town in the last two years, but one driver is on long-term sick leave after a stone was thrown into the cab of his vehicle last year. The new scheme, Operation Travelsafe, will see local police officers including Community Beat Managers and Police Community Support Officers, travelling on bus services in uniform and plain clothes to deter youths from disrupting services.

Briercliffe Community Beat Manager PC Ian Thompson said: "Thankfully incidents of stone throwing are very rare but when it does happen it obviously causes great concern for the bus driver and passengers and in severe cases, can put their safety at risk.

"That is why we have joined forces with Burnley and Pendle Transport who have agreed that local police officers and police community support officers can travel on their buses whilst on duty free of charge on production of their warrant card.

"The scheme is a great idea giving us a chance to meet people from the local community and increase our visibility whilst at the same time, providing a reassuring police presence for the passengers and driver."

He added: "Needless to say this operation also greatly increases the chance of anyone caught throwing stones at buses being caught, something which I'm sure all local bus users will welcome.

"Having police on the buses is both a proportionate response to the problem and an effective deterrent."

James Dunbar, Operations Manager at Burnley and Pendle Transport Ltd, said: "We welcome this initiative and hope that having Police Officers and Police Community Support Officers using some of our buses will help to deter youth nuisance and those intent on anti-social behaviour."

Anyone with information on previous stoning incident should call Burnley police on 01282 425001.