Police take action to stop rock attacks on buses

Police have stepped up patrols after reports of young people throwing rocks at buses.

The attacks forced bus operator Stagecoach to suspend services in the Southfields area of Northampton, leaving residents - including the elderly - without transport.

Northamptonshire Police has increased patrols at key times and has been working with Stagecoach and the council.

"Your behaviour might seem harmless, but as well as having a negative effect on local people, especially the elderly who see buses as lifelines, it could cause real, serious injury," said Insp Scott Farrant.

"We have made inroads in identifying some of the young people involved in this activity and I would ask them to please consider other people before engaging in this type of behaviour," Farrant added.

Stagecoach Midlands managing director Mark Whitelocks said: "This is not harmless fun, it's dangerous and we will work with the police to make sure anybody caught using our onboard CCTV will be prosecuted."

Neighbourhood policing teams are going into schools to explain the impact of the attacks and have been using the Northamptonshire Talking messaging service to keep residents informed.

Events involving the Neighbourhood Beat Bus - community vehicles that boost police visibility and host surgeries - have also been set up.

Richard Butler, West Northamptonshire Council's cabinet member for highways and transport, described the attacks as "incredibly dangerous for drivers and passengers".

"We're committed to continue working with police colleagues in tackling this kind of anti-social activity and helping restore a regular and uninterrupted bus service to Southfields," he added.

Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.