Near miss as bus is hit by brick

Buy photos »

A YOUNG mother and her child narrowly missed being hit by a brick during the most recent incident in a spate of bus attacks by stone-throwing yobs.

The woman was travelling on the bus about 4.30pm on Saturday (January 14) with her infant in her arms, when the brick shattered a large window causing about £1,200 of damage.

It is one of a number of stone throwing incidents police have received since the start of the new year in the Winyates and Church Hill areas.

Diamond general manager Chris Blyth told the Standard in the last week three windows had been smashed by vandals and they were working with the police to catch those responsible.

"Of course, our main concern is for the safety of our customers and staff but it is obviously very costly to replace the windows," he added.

"To the people doing this, I would say this isn't just about buses or windows but about the people travelling on the buses and if anyone is apprehended we will make sure we prosecute."

First spokesman Chris Nice revealed over the Christmas and New Year period there had been seven windows smashed on four buses.

"There is no pattern, though they did take place on the 57 and 58 Matchborough routes," he said.

"We are working closely with the police to try and eliminate these incidents."

Police have started to travel on buses again in uniform and plain clothing after an initial scheme in November led to a number of arrests.

Sgt Neil Billingham, from Redditch North East Local Policing Team, said: "We would appeal to those responsible to think about their actions. What they may perceive as fun can often have serious consequences."

He added anyone caught throwing stones or other objects at moving buses could be charged with criminal damage where life is endangered which could result in a prison sentence.

Witnesses or anyone with any information should contact Sgt Billingham on 0300 333 3000, quoting incident 474-S-140112, or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.