A GROUP of young people caused “deplorable” damage to a bus in Bournemouth amid a spate of criminal damage incidents involving bus travel.

Bournemouth Police reported that a group of young people had smashed a bus window in Cunningham Crescent on Tuesday, November 2, 2021.

They confirmed that this was not an isolated incident and there is now an active investigation, with no arrests having been made yet.

Neighbourhood Inspector Danny Tamblyn, of north Bournemouth police, said: “Officers from the local neighbourhood policing team are aware of these ongoing issues and have been carrying out anti-social behaviour hotspot patrols in the area over recent weeks and these will continue.

“We would like to remind all members of the community that Dorset Police will not tolerate incidents of anti-social behaviour and it remains a priority for the force.

“We will engage and, where necessary, use escalating enforcement powers and partnership resources to address the behaviour of those that seek to harm our community.

He added: “We would encourage everyone to please report incidents of anti-social behaviour to Dorset Police.

“These reports help us to build an intelligence picture across the area to find out where anti-social behaviour is occurring and to direct patrols to any areas that have increased reporting of ASB.”

David Squire, Yellow Buses managing director said: “This action is deplorable, putting our staff, customers and other road users at risk, to say nothing of the disruption caused to services and resultant cost to the business, fortunately, incidents of this nature are rare and we work with the police to identify and prosecute those involved in such incidents.”

No injuries were reported as a result of the criminal damage, however the bus had to be taken out of service to be cleaned and a new window fitted.

The incident follows multiple similar incidences of anti-social behaviour in the area. Police were called on October 13 to reports of a group of young people climbed onto a double decker bus and were hanging off the back of the vehicle on Cunningham Crescent.

Further reports followed on October 17 when a group of people kicked a bus stop in Moore Avenue and Poole Avenue, causing damage.

Lastly, on October 18, police were called over criminal damage to a glass section of a bus stop again in Cunningham Crescent. It was reported the damage was caused by a group of five to six young people.