A GANG of up to 30 yobs attacked a bus and a series of cars as they ran riot on Bournemouth streets, it has emerged.

The youngsters, thought to have been drunken under-16s, lobbed stones at vehicles and verbally abused locals who challenged them during the wrecking spree in Bearwood.

A Yellow Buses driver was lucky to escape uninjured after his vehicle became caught up in the trouble, which began at around 11pm on Friday.

Police said an "unknown group of youths" were behind the trouble in the King Richard Drive, Knights Road and Crusader Road area.

Residents called police to complain of up to 30 young people running up and down the streets vandalising cars. One caller reported "chaos" as several residents came out of their homes and at least one was verbally abused.

The Yellow Buses number nine service, on its last stop of the night, became involved at around 11.20pm. Four of its windows were smashed.

Andy Hickisson, operations manager, Bournemouth Transport, said: "I'm just glad nobody was injured."

The vehicle had to be withdrawn from service for the weekend until the damage could be repaired.

Windows were smashed on a Mercedes van, a Hyundai Accent and a Ford Mondeo, while a Mercedes and a BMW were damaged with stones and the mirror was broken off a Ford Fiesta.

A police spokesman said the vandalism was "mindless" and "totally unacceptable".

He added: "There was a group of young people who made off from the area. Nobody was found.

"The community beat officer, PC Simon Bridge, will be working with Yellow Buses in an effort to find those responsible.

"We would like anyone with any knowledge of this incident and anyone with any knowledge about those responsible to come forward."

Anyone with information should ring PC Simon Bridge on 01202 222 222 or ring the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.

First published: May 25