Special team launches blitz on bus crime

A SPECIALISED unit is cracking down on bus crime after a spate of recent incidents.

Members of the Lothian and Borders CID crime reduction team will tackle the growing problem hitting Midlothian that has seen passengers being attacked, property stolen and buses damaged.

Last month, a 30-year-old man was attacked on a bus by a thug wearing overalls splattered with paint.

He was travelling through Bonnyrigg in Midlothian on a number 141 First Bus from Musselburgh to Penicuik when he was assaulted.

In another incident, in March, a 39-year-old woman had her shopping stolen as she got off a bus in Gorebridge.

A spokesman for Lothian and Borders Police said: "Due to the seriousness of this type of incident, and with the risk of injury to passengers and drivers, the inquiries for this type of incident have been taken on by the CID crime reduction team."