Teenager charged after police anti-crime bus damaged

Oct 25 2007 by Caroline Innes, Liverpool Daily Post

A TEENAGER has been charged with criminal damage following Merseyside Police’s ongoing Trojan bus operation in Speke.

Neighbourhood police officers on the bus, supported by officers from the anti-social behaviour taskforce, swooped after damage was caused to the window of the bus just before 5.30pm on Monday, as it travelled along Western Avenue.

They arrested the boy, a 13-year-old from the Woolton area, who was later charged.

The Trojan bus operation aims to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour on and against public transport.

Run in partnership with bus operator Arriva, the initiative involves plain clothes officers travelling on the bus along designated routes, targeting hotspot areas for youth disorder.

The officers cannot be distinguished from other travellers and are able to take immediate action against anyone who tries to attack the bus and those engaged in anti-social behaviour.

Regular police patrols along bus routes also support the operation by helping to identify potential trouble-spots and deter youths.

Criminal damage, particularly smashed windows on buses and damage to seats, account for the greatest number of reported incidents against public transport.

Superintendent John Myles said yesterday: “Repairs to the bus hit on Monday evening will cost approximately £400 to repair.

“Our aim is to deter youngsters from becoming involved in this kind of behaviour.”

The 13-year-old boy is due to appear before Liverpool Youth Court on Monday, October 30.