AN MP has called for more investment into Bradford’s police force so a permanent solution can be found to prevent yobs from disrupting bus services by smashing their windows with rocks and snowballs.

Yesterday First Bradford released a statement detailing the shocking extent to which their buses have been targeted in recent weeks.

On Thursday night, the bus provider was forced to temporarily suspend their 645 service from running through Ravenscliffe estate for the evening due to vandalism.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

A group of youths threw snowballs - which may have had stones in them - that resulted in a bus window being smashed.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time this has happened over the last three weeks. It was the fifth similar incident to happen to the 645 in that period.

First say three of the five occasions have been in Ravenscliffe and Greengates.

Read: Anger and police questioned after First suspend bus service

Bradford East MP Imran Hussain (Labour) also highlighted several “worrying incidents” of rocks being catapulted at buses roaming through the estate.

He said: “Tackling the anti-social behaviour and vandalism that is making people’s lives a misery will always be one of my top priorities, and I meet regularly with senior officers from police to press for greater action on keeping residents safe and bringing perpetrators to justice.

"I am aware of a number of worrying incidents involving anti-social behaviour in Ravenscliffe, which has seen rocks thrown at buses and resulted in First Bus diverting buses and shortening the routes serving the area to keep their drivers and passengers safe.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

"However, this must not be a permanent solution as residents should not continue to face being threatened or left unable to go about their lives because of a lack of effective action.

"We, therefore, need to see far greater resources invested in neighbourhood policing and grassroots community levels, not just in Ravenscliffe, but across the region too, which is why I am deeply concerned that over the last decade, this Conservative Government have cut funding to West Yorkshire Police.

"We need to see more police officers on the beat and embedded in the communities that they serve, and I will continue to call for greater investment in this.”

Inspector Paul Riley, of Bradford East Neighbourhood Policing team, said: “Neighbourhood policing officers continue to work closely with partners, local councillors, the local MP and residents in the Ravenscliffe area to address concerns about antisocial behaviour.

"We understand how antisocial behaviour can affect people’s lives and we take all reports extremely seriously.

"My neighbourhood officers are frequently out in the area to stop and deter crime and offer crime prevention advice to people affected by antisocial behaviour.

"We would continue to appeal to residents to report any antisocial behaviour incidents to us, by calling 101 or using the live chat facility www.westyorkshire.police.uk/contactus.”