Sheffield buses: Halloween vandals force First and Stagecoach to divert routes tonight over safety concerns

David Kessen
By David Kessen
Published 31st Oct 2022, 21:42 BST
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Sheffield’s buses have been hit by Halloween vandals this evening – with several routes having to miss streets out because of vandalism and antisocial behaviour.

Both the city’s main operators, First and Stagecoach, have had to take action to avoid hooligans causing problems including vandalism and pelting vehicles with fireworks.

First switched its 52A buses because of anti-social behaviour on Staniforth Road. The company said that for the safety of customers and passengers, they had to divert via Greenland Road, Sheffield Arena and Attercliffe Road, in both directions They also revealed that due to children targeting buses with fireworks on Crowder Road, Longley, services 97 and 98 were diverting via Herries Drive, Herries Road and Moonshine Lane in both directions, for the safety of staff and customers.

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Stagecoach said they had to divert the 88 service due to anti-social behaviour in Firth Park. It has meant buses going via Barnsley Road, Hatfield House Lane and Sicey Avenue, while the number one service was using Barnsley Road. A spokesman said: “This is in both directions and until end of service tonight. Sorry for any inconvenience caused.”

Sheffield’s buses have been hit by Halloween vandals this evening – with several routes having to miss streets out because of vandalism and antisocial behaviour. File picture shows a Sheffield bus.Sheffield’s buses have been hit by Halloween vandals this evening – with several routes having to miss streets out because of vandalism and antisocial behaviour. File picture shows a Sheffield bus.
Sheffield’s buses have been hit by Halloween vandals this evening – with several routes having to miss streets out because of vandalism and antisocial behaviour. File picture shows a Sheffield bus.

It was not just Sheffield seeing trouble.

First said in Doncaster that due to vandalism, the 87 service was not serving Thorne Market Place; the 54 service was not serving Peters Gate in Scawthorpe, Green Lane, The Cresent, Harlold Ave, Osborne Ave, Shaftsbury Ave or Lawn Ave in Woodlands; and the 66 service was not waiting any time or stopping at Lothian Road roundabout.

And in Rotherham vandalism on Doncaster Road was blamed for service 115 divert via Fitzwilliam Rd and Herringthorpe Valley Rd in both directions; and service 116 divert via Fitzwilliam Rd to Mushroom Roundabout both ways.

Senior officers from South Yorkshire Police have assured local residents that they will be taking a no-tolerance approach to anti-social behaviour this year. Chief Inspector Lee Carlson said: “We want everybody to enjoy Halloween and Bonfire night; we know it can be an enjoyable time of the year for most people, but for some the festivities alongside the darker nights can make them feel vulnerable.

"The few people that do want to cause a problem will not be tolerated and our extra officers will be there to deal with them.