Youths use catapults to smash windows of two buses in Poole

Passengers on the number 14 and 17 Morebuses services in Ringwood Road had to stop their service at around 5.30pm on September 7 after a small group of youths hurled pellets at the windows. 

One passenger, who asked to remain anonymous, was on his way home from work when he heard an “almighty smash”.

He said: “I had my headphones in and was sat next to the window.  

Resident (Image: Resident)

“All of a sudden, I heard an almighty smash next to me. All I could see was shattered window; I couldn’t see through it.

“We all got off the bus and we could see another bus’s window had been smashed too. There was a group of about three or four kids lurking in the bushes laughing.”

Read more: Morebus vehicle window smashed in Cunningham Crescent

Around 100 people from the two buses were left at the side of the road because of the incident, as the police took details of the incident. 

“People were angry that this had happened, but nobody was willing to approach the kids in fear they’d attack us. It was frustrating,” the witness added. 

Morebus smashed window (Image: Resident)

Richard Wade, Morebus general manager, said: “Two more of our buses were attacked in Newtown, Poole, on Wednesday afternoon at around 5.30pm.  

“They were both serving the stop at Tesco, one a 14 and the other a 17. Pellets were fired at lower deck windows, breaking them.  

“Police attended the scene, and one of the drivers provided details which we hope will help them identify those involved.  

Read more: Another Morebus suffers smashed window in West Howe

Ringwood Road

“This was a main road, and in daylight. We were also confident the offenders saw the police were looking for them, so we chose not to suspend services on this occasion.” 

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: “Officers attended and carried out a search of the area, but the offenders were not located.

“Enquiries into the incident remain ongoing and we are maintaining regular communication with the bus company as we investigate this and other incidents.

“We take reports of anti-social behaviour of this nature very seriously and we are continuing to step up patrols to deter this kind of activity and identify those involved.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk/contact or call 101, quoting occurrence 55220146927.”

This was the latest attack in a long line of incidents of youths smashing bus windows. 

The number 14 was forced to suspend its service on Saturday, August 27 when youths smashed the windows of the Morebus travelling through West Howe. 

Earlier that week on Thursday, Morebus suspended its routes 14, 5 and 5a in West Howe after “coming under attack” by youths throwing pellets or ball bearings through bus windows in Cunningham Crescent.