City drivers' lives in danger from stone-throwing thugs

Published on Monday 24 March 2008 09:25

BUSES and cars are coming under attack from stone throwing children in Leith with potentially life-threatening consequences, police and residents have warned.

Police in the area say there has been a marked increase in the number of recent incidents.

Seen as a prank, the consequences could be life-threatening, the youngsters are being told.

Officers have also urged parents and members of the public to step up their efforts to help catch the youngsters and nip the problem in the bud.

Community beat officer John Pennycook told residents: "Efforts are continuing to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour on public transport, however, there has been a rise in youths throwing stones and other missiles at passing buses and vehicles.

"Many of the youths responsible for throwing stones at passing vehicles may perceive this as a prank as they don't appreciate the consequences of their actions.

"These crimes are extremely dangerous. The community can help with any information relating to these incidents."

It is understood the problems are worse at lunchtimes and home time on popular bus routes such as Leith Walk, Great Junction Street and Easter Road.

The police have introduced a number of measures to tackle the problem on a city-wide basis, including the implementation of a decoy bus, disguised like every other, but containing plain clothes policeman who look specifically for missile throwers. These vehicles go on hot-spot routes followed by undercover officers in an unmarked car, who are able to arrest individuals lured to the decoy bus.

Leith councillor Gordon Munro – whose brother is a bus driver – said the problem was only going to be addressed by engaging with the stone throwers and their parents.

He said: "It is a problem, not just in Leith but city-wide. It's not only buses, I've had complaints from residents in Newhaven as well about kids throwing stones at cars because it's quite easy for them to scarper quickly on to the cycle path.

"The only way we can solve this is by firstly making it clear to the parents that they have to know what their child is up to, and if there are reports of antisocial behaviour, they should ask their children if they know anything about it.

"Secondly we have to engage with younger people. In December there was a problem with kids egging the number 22 bus, but that's not happening now largely because we engaged with them."

A spokesman for Lothian Buses condemned the stone throwers who cost the company thousands of pounds every year.

He said: "Throwing any kind of missiles at a moving bus really is a mindless and stupid act. Its consequences could be life threatening to both drivers and passengers."

Last July children as young as 12 pelted First buses in the Gorebridge area.

In October 2005, First was forced to withdraw 15 new buses from evening services running through Midlothian following a spate of vandalism in the Mayfield area.