Damage to Morebus vehicles after criminal damage in Poole

Morebus stopped serving Arne Avenue in Poole on Saturday evening after repeated disruption by a group of youths – culminating in rocks and other projectiles being thrown through the vehicles’ door, windscreen and a window.

After cancelling its 16 and 17 services to the road, Morebus apologised to customers for the inconvenience but stressed they were not “prepared to put our drivers or passengers at any more risk”.

Police were informed and an effort is underway to identify the youths responsible.

Morebus vehicle damaged after youths threw projectiles through the windows in Arne Avenue, Poole

Mike Freeborn, Morebus operations manager, said: “We sustained a broken windscreen and door glass to a double decker vehicle – and a smashed side window to a single deck vehicle – on Saturday evening, due to projectiles including rocks being thrown by youths.

“This was the third reported incident in the last few days and, after the second attack on Saturday, we made the difficult decision to remove all services from Arne Avenue until the following day. The safety of our drivers and passengers is paramount, and we felt this move was necessary, given the circumstances.

“We are working closely with police to identify the youths responsible, and we will urge the prosecution of those behind these mindless crimes.”

Morebus added their services at Arne Avenue will continue for now but that the situation is being monitored.

Morebus vehicle damaged after youths threw projectiles through the windows in Arne Avenue, Poole

The Echo has previously reported on serious cases of anti-social behaviour from youths at Poole bus station, resulting in more regular police foot patrols at the site.

Ward councillor Tony Trent told the Echo he had heard numerous reports of youths with catapults concentrated in the area. He said: “Unfortunately, we do have a wandering group of young people and from what I can gather it’s almost always the same group.

“Arne Avenue is very well served by buses, it's one of the better serviced roads, so they’re ruining it for the people who need the buses.

“I’ve said to people to use the 101 service to report it because in the past we’ve had outbreaks of things and people haven’t reported it. I always encourage people to use 101 so the police can build up intelligence.”

A Dorset Police spokesperson said: “There were no injuries reported. Enquiries are ongoing into the incident. No arrests have been made.”