AN MP says more needs to be done after the latest spate of "mindless" attacks by vandals on buses on a Bradford estate, which caused the service to be suspended twice in two days.

Services to Holme Wood had to be withdrawn on two occasions after four separate attacks on First buses on the estate in less than 24 hours.

And First bus said it would not serve the estate until further notice after an incident of vandalism at Kesteven Road yesterday afternoon.

It was reported that youths were throwing objects towards a bus in the incident.

This followed First being forced to suspend its services for hours on Tuesday evening after windows of buses on the 608 route on Holme Wood were damaged in a batch of attacks.

Three buses each had one window damaged on Kesteven Road on the estate. No injuries were reported.

First says it has passed on-board CCTV footage of the incidents to police as part of its investigation, adding the firm suspending the buses for almost six hours on Tuesday evening was a "last resort".

The latest incidents were the first reported attacks of vandalism on buses in Holme Wood since a similar spate of incidents in March this year.

Bradford South MP Judith Cummins condemned the bus vandalism, adding residents on the estate are fed up after such attacks.

She added she has been working with Bradford Council, West Yorkshire Police and the bus firms to deal with such incidents.

Mrs Cummins said: “Residents in Holme Wood are simply fed up of the disruption to bus services thanks to the criminal acts of a small number of people.

“When mindless vandalism causes services to be suspended, it is ordinary residents who are affected - people can’t get home from work, visit vulnerable family members or make urgent appointments. It is unacceptable.

“I have been in contact with West Yorkshire Police about these most recent incidents, and I have been working with bus companies, Bradford Council and the police throughout the year on measures to deal with these issues.

“This has included improved CCTV coverage for better reporting of incidents, and successful Trojan bus operations which have lead to arrests.

“However, it’s clear more needs to be done. Buses are an essential public service and I will continue pushing agencies to deal with these problems.”

Cllr Alan Wainwright (Lab, Tong) says he despairs over the latest incidents by yobs, after hardworking police and youth services had helped to quash such incidents in Holme Wood over the last six months.

He said: “I just despair. It’s absolutely appalling.

“We have to get on top of this. We have had a sense of normality in Holme Wood since March. These have been the first major incidents in Holme Wood since March.

“I would put out an appeal for anyone who knows these young yobs who have done it. That’s all we can do.

“There is absolutely no need for it.

“They don’t have to go around lobbing bricks, causing mayhem and getting buses stopped.

“We have a very hardworking police team in the Tong ward. The police and the youth services team have been working their socks off there.”

First also urged anyone with any information to come forward to the police and assist their investigation.

A First Bradford spokesman said: “The safety of our colleagues and customers is our highest priority and we will take any steps we feel necessary to safeguard their welfare.

“Deciding to suspend services is always a last resort as we appreciate this will cause disruption and inconvenience for passengers.

“Anyone with information about the persons involved should contact the police or call Crimestoppers with what they know.

“We have also made available CCTV footage from our on board cameras to assist the police in identifying the culprits.”

West Yorkshire Police also called for people to come forward with information.

A spokesperson for the Force said: “Officers are conducting initial enquiries into what took place and would ask anyone who saw or has information about what took place to contact Bradford Police on 101 referencing police log 1170 of October 5.”