Buttershaw plagued by bus vandals who throw missiles

First Bradford said issues have been ongoing in the Buttershaw area for the past week, with stones and other objects being thrown at buses.

Mohammed Raja, Operations Manager for First Bradford, said: “An urgent meeting with the police and youth and community leaders is being arranged to find ways to make young people realise the worst that could happen and end this mindless vandalism and damage to our buses.

Damage can be seen to the back of the bus

“The safety of our staff and customers is our highest priority and we are working closely with the police to investigate the incidents including the use of on board CCTV footage to help identify the individuals involved.

“Such attacks can have very serious consequences and we would encourage anyone with information to contact the police or get in touch with Crimestoppers.”

These photographs show some of the recent damage. Yesterday, the 640, 641, 645 and 614 services had to be diverted because of vandalism.

One of the smashed windows

“Every time we have to divert buses or shorten a route it is disrupting the lives of local people in the communities we serve,” Mr Raja added.

“Acts of vandalism cause significant interference to timetable arrangements.

“We aim to source a replacement bus as quickly as possible in order to minimise disruption to our customers, but when vandalism occurs while the bus is in service, then it does inevitably and regrettably result in at least part of that scheduled journey being cancelled and or re-routed to avoid further attacks.

A smashed window on one of the buses

“Repairing a bus means it may also be missing from service the following day too.”  

Bradford South MP Judith Cummins said: “I have been in contact with West Yorkshire Police and First West Yorkshire about these incidents.

"Our bus services are a lifeline for many residents.

The 641 bus in Buttershaw today (Thursday)

"When operators are forced to suspend the service because of this mindless vandalism, it stops people travelling to and from work, getting to appointments, and taking care of family members. What’s more, stones and other projectiles risk injuring members of the public and can cause a serious road accident.

"I have been working with bus companies and West Yorkshire Police on measures to deal with this abhorrent behaviour for a several years. Joint operations like Trojan buses have proved successful in the past and have resulted in arrests. I will continue to push for these and other measures to keep our vital bus services safe.”

Sadly, attacks on buses have become an all-too-familiar story in Bradford.

In April this year, a bus service in the Ravenscliffe area was attacked three times in less than two weeks.

On several occasion during the period, First was forced to announce that the 645 service would not be serving Ravenscliffe for the rest of the day.

The T&A approached West Yorkshire Police for a comment, but had not received one by the time of going to press.