LATEST NEWS: Bus service refusing to enter estate AGAIN after yet more vandalism

FIRST Bradford has released a statement detailing the shocking extent to which their buses have been attacked in recent weeks.

Yesterday, the bus provider was forced to suspend their 645 service from running through Ravenscliffe estate due to vandalism.

It has now been revealed that it was a group of youths throwing snowballs - which may have had stones in them - that resulted in a bus window being smashed.

No one was hurt as a result of the incident and, today, the 645 is running normally through the estate.

First add that it was a temporary measure to remove services from the estate for the remainder of Thursday evening and not on an indefinite basis.

Read: Anger and police questioned after First suspend bus service

Unfortunately, this is not the first time this has happened over the last three weeks.

It was, in fact, the fifth similar incident to happen to the 645 in that time period.

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

In a statement, the bus provider says the incidents are being investigated and spelt out the disruption caused.

A spokesperson for First Bradford said: “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.

"Although isolated, such attacks can have very serious consequences and we would encourage anyone with information to contact the police or get in touch with Crimestoppers.

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

“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 does occur whilst the bus is in service, then inevitably and regrettably will result in at least part of that scheduled journey being cancelled.

"Repairing a bus sometimes means it is also missing from service the following day too.” 

The T&A spoke to residents of Ravenscliffe and heard that the estate is also being blighted by seriously dangerous anti-social behaviour.

One young mum claimed the yobs - who she said are aged between seven and 15 - throw fireworks into a children's play park.