EVENING bus services in Grimethorpe could receive a timetable shake-up or even be axed if yobs continue to throw missiles, the Chronicle can reveal.
An increase in antisocial behaviour has already led some Stagecoach drivers to refuse to drive along Cemetery Road, where it has been claimed teenagers have caused damage to vehicles by throwing eggs, stones and even bricks.
The issue, which was discussed by South Yorkshire Police at last Wednesday’s PACT meeting in Cudworth, has now been adopted as the local Royston-based force’s top priority for the next six weeks in a bid to deter those responsible.
Increased foot patrols have been scheduled in between 5 and 8pm - the times when the majority of incidents have taken place - while PCSOs will continue to ride on buses to provide reassurance.
Matt Davies, managing director at Stagecoach Yorkshire, said: “We are working very closely with local police regarding the significant increase in antisocial behaviour in the Grimethorpe area in recent months which has seen individuals throwing missiles, causing damage to buses.
“The safety of our passengers and frontline staff will always be our number one priority and we are planning further partnership working with South Yorkshire Police, where PCSOs will travel on our buses in an effort to hopefully deter anyone from engaging in antisocial behaviour.
“Our bus services are vital to many people in the local area for essential journeys. We understand how important it is to the local community that these are able to be maintained and we are very keen to do that.
“We are asking for the support of the community in helping us address this problem. The perpetrators will be local and someone will know those responsible. Any information can be passed to the police, anonymously if desired.
“We will monitor the situation closely and if the issues continue, we may have to consider alternative options by reviewing services in this area at certain times to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our customers and drivers.
“The issue unfortunately covers several areas of Grimethorpe so any withdrawal of service would be significant in terms of impact for all involved, so clearly we are very keen to avoid this.”
One Grimethorpe resident, who did not wish to be named, told the Chronicle his car’s windscreen was smashed when he was driving along Cemetery Road.
“It’s fine through the day but they always seem to come out at night,” he said. “I had just picked my wife up from work in Cudworth at around 7pm and was near the traffic lights when a brick was thrown.
“It smashed the windscreen and I can remember thinking that it was lucky we were approaching the lights so I was going slowly. Had that have happened at 30mph, the brick could have gone right through and hit us.
“Of course when I got out of the car, no-one was there. It’s unbelievable what they’re doing.”
Temporary Sergeant Jason Pearson said: “We have had numerous reports from members of the public and bus firms about youths throwing objects at vehicles in Grimethorpe so I think it’s necessary to have this as a priority issue.
“Officers will continue to pay a lot of attention to this area of the village. Nancy Road, St Luke’s Road and Cemetery Road are the main routes of the bus services and we will be working with partners to address this.”
