Bus services cut after bricks thrown at windows

The number 19 between Walsall and Bloxwich has been reduced after 15:00 GMT

Two bus companies have temporarily changed their services through Walsall after vehicles were vandalised and had bricks thrown at them.

Some National Express West Midlands and Chaserider services between Bloxwich and Walsall have been either rerouted or reduced after 15:00 GMT because of the recent incidents.

Three teenagers have since been arrested, West Midlands Police said.

National Express said it was working with the force and described the behaviour as "totally unacceptable".

"A number of services have been put on short-notice diversions in recent weeks due to recurring issues with anti-social behaviour targeted at buses," the operator said.

"This type of behaviour is totally unacceptable. It means our customers are without service and are unable to use a bus while we're repairing the damage caused to vehicles."

'People are angry'

Councillor Pete Smith, who has raised the issue for debate at a meeting on Monday, said residents were losing out because of the vandalism and called for services to resume as soon as possible.

"This area depends a lot more on buses because we are not a rich area, we haven't got as many cars per household," he said.

"This bus service is very well used and people are suffering and that's wrong.

"People have told me they're having to get taxis to get to work and they can't afford it. People are angry.

Bus services have been re-routed angering residents, councillor Pete Smith said

In a statement, councillor Garry Perry, the Conservative deputy leader and cabinet member for resilient communities, said the authority condemned the behaviour and that it was also working with police.

“These types of incidents aren’t typical of the vast majority of decent people who live in our communities - they are often perpetrated by the few, but the impact is frighteningly real," he said.

In December, police made a number of arrests in connection with bus vandalism in the Coalpool area of Walsall.

Two girls, aged 14 and 13, and a 14-year-old boy are currently on bail while inquiries continue.

Insp Pete Poolton, neighbourhood policing manager for Walsall, said: “We are working alongside our partners including Safer Travel and Walsall Council and we are in regular contact with National Express West Midlands as we continue to tackle the issues."