Extra police have been deployed to a city region bus routes after a spate of attacks on buses led to some services being temporarily pulled.
Cheshire Constabulary said a “mindless small minority” of troublemakers were responsible for the problems, which have affected public transport in Runcorn and specifically Murdishaw. The ECHO is also aware of a report on social media of a window being “put through” on a bus on The Brow estate in a different part of the new town.
Arriva said “antisocial incidents” targeting buses in Murdishaw had resulted in services being temporarily “removed from Murdishaw” once in recent weeks. A spokesman for the company said CCTV has been downloaded to support its investigations.
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On social media, one woman said her daughter was on the bus with a young child and baby as she branded the culprits “disgraceful”.
It’s not the first time Runcorn’s dedicated busway has been abused by yobs causing misery for drivers, commuters, students and other passengers with spates of incidents being reported intermittently down the years, sometimes at spots where vandals make use of overhead footbridges to launch items - with a lawnmower even having been reported to have been thrown at a bus in Halton Lodge in 2020.
Inspector Dan Haddock, of Runcorn Local Policing Unit, said officers would be using all powers available to tackle the latest wave of incidents as he urged witnesses and anyone with any information to make contact.
He said: “We are aware of reports of antisocial behaviour and criminal damage, specifically in the Murdishaw area of Runcorn.
“I want to reassure residents that we are doing all we can to tackle this behaviour and take action against those who think they can get away with this crime.
“There is no doubt that buses provide a vital service for local residents and the actions of a mindless small minority is having a detrimental effect on those who need to use this service in order to get around.”
Insp Haddock added: “To tackle this issue, you will see more officers in and around key routes and will be using all powers possible to us in order to target the offenders.
“We will be working closely with local bus companies to address the concerns they have and will be taking action.
“We have a number of enquiries underway in relation to the incidents but I would also ask anyone who may have information that could be relevant to our enquiries then please do get in touch.
“I’d also urge anyone who has any concerns or wants to report an incident of ASB or criminal damage to please do so that we can take robust action.”
Anyone with any information about the incidents should call Cheshire Police on 101 or visit cheshire.police.uk .
An Arriva spokesman said: “We can confirm that we had a number of antisocial incidents in the Runcorn and Murdishaw area over the past few weeks, and unfortunately this has on one occasion resulted in services being temporarily removed from Murdishaw.
“The safety of our staff and passengers on board is paramount and we would not hesitate in withdrawing services in the future should the antisocial behaviour continue.
“We are working closely with Travel-Safe and local authorities on the issues and. CCTV has been downloaded from our buses to aid in investigations.”
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