Residents of Coalpool Lane, Walsall, have called on police and the council to do more to stop a series of anti-social behavior attacks on the local number 29 bus service.
The call to action follows another incident in which buses were once again forced to change their normal route and use Harden Road and Bloxwich Road instead.
Jamie Richards, 35, from Walsall, said: “It’s shocking. These days you can’t even get on the bus without some kind of problem.
“It calmed down for a week or two, but just the other day it happened again. People around here are tired of having to guess whether buses will be diverted or not. need to do it.”
West Midlands Police and Walsall City Council have installed surveillance cameras along the Coalpool Lane section of the route and are working with the council to tackle anti-social behavior in the area, including closing city gates. After stepping up efforts to reduce incidents, problems continue to occur. Rycroft Cemetery in the early morning.
Stephanie Chambers, 45, from Leighmore, said: “This bus route is one of the main bus routes into and out of Walsall and many elderly people use it for shopping. When something happens to someone, it really affects a lot of people.” people.
“The problem is, if someone threw a brick at a bus with a family on it, the kids would be furious. So why would they throw a brick at someone else’s bus? It’s shocking.”
The service has received a number of similar anti-social behavior related issues over the past few months. In particular, there was an incident in Rycroft Cemetery where young men ambushed a bus and a police car before attacking them.
In an interview with the Express and Star following last week’s incident, Inspector Pete Poulton, Neighborhood Police Officer for Walsall Local Police Area, said: “We are working hard to combat anti-social behavior and a number of arrests have been made.” ” he said.
“We have worked closely with partners such as Safer Travel and bus operator National Express West Midlands and will continue to do so.
“Our officers continue to regularly patrol areas where vehicles have been targeted.”
Walsall City Council has been contacted for comment.