Bus attacks fall in Sheffield after police pose as passengers and catch culprits

Services in Arbourthorne were suspended and diverted recently following attacks and there has been anti social behaviour across South Yorkshire, including a driver being shot at with an air gun.

First South Yorkshire said there has been a definite rise in attacks but an operation where plain clothed officers sat on the bus, and an unmarked police car followed it, was a success.

Coun Ben Miskell told a scrutiny meeting: “My ward Arbourthorne is one of those areas currently facing an increased number of attacks on buses and ongoing diversions due to this is causing quite considerable disruption to residents.

“From talking to fellow councillors in Rotherham I understand that similar attacks on buses and their drivers have recently taken place and the situation in that area seems to have significantly improved.

“Covid really has highlighted the importance of our public transport network and we want to make sure that it continues to run regardless of where you live.”

Nigel Eggleton, managing director of First, said they had suffered.

“We don’t really understand why there is a slightly greater level of vandalism onboard our vehicles, we suspect in some way it is Covid related although the psychology of that escapes me,” he said.

“It’s certainly greater this autumn than it was last autumn but South Yorkshire Police have been helpful.

“The Rotherham experience was very similar to that in Firth Park a number of weeks ago. Essentially the success we had in both of those came from us running what we call the Trojan bus.

“We had police on board and on both occasions they caught a little blighters. It’s as simple as that.

“We had one occasion where a police car that went in front of the bus was pelted with stones and we had one of our drivers shot at with an air gun pellet.

“It was quite a sight seeing three police officers go haring off into the night and come back with three arrests being made. That got rid of the problem, almost overnight.

“Now we did the same on Arbourthorne last week and didn’t see a soul unfortunately and that was disappointing but we’ll keep going.

“We appreciate entirely how important services are to residents. We do not want our drivers and passengers under threat of what could be a severe injury if a brick goes through the window and hits them on the head, we don’t want to go there.

“Police are doing their best with the resources available to them but we’re grateful for any pressure from councillors to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.”

Stagecoach said it had also had similar problems and was working with the police and First.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.