South Wales Police and Cardiff Bus have joined forces once more to tackle criminal damage and anti social behaviour.
The so-called Trojan Bus has been back on the streets of the capital to catch those responsible for launching stones and other objects at buses.
During the operation four 13-year-old boys were arrested for throwing stones while six girls and a 19-year-old man will all be receiving anti social behaviour (ASB) warning letters.
The operation was carried out by the Ely Neighbourhood Policing Team on Wednesday, September 22 between 6pm and 10pm but police warn the Trojan Bus could appear in any part of the city in the coming weeks and months.
Sergeant Ross Crutcher, who is based in Ely Police Station, said: “Cardiff Bus provides a valuable service to the community and joint operations such as this prove we will not tolerate their vehicles being attacked.
“Throwing objects at a moving vehicle is extremely dangerous that puts lives at risk not just of the passengers but all other road users and pedestrians.
“I hope the Trojan Bus will serve as a deterrent as it could be used in any area, at any time.”
Donna McDonald on behalf of Cardiff Bus said: “We are fully behind these kinds of joint operations and are glad that we can help make Cardiff a safer place. It’s really important to us that we support the police and give them every opportunity to effectively combat violence and anti-social behaviour. Cardiff Bus will continue to help South Wales Police whenever we can.”
For the second time this year, Cardiff Bus allowed one of their buses to be used for the operation which, instead of normal passengers, had a number of plain-clothed officers on board together with a dog handler and police dog.
Around 8pm in Heol Pennar, Caerau, the bus came under attack from four boys threw stones.
They ran from the scene but were pursed and arrested for attempt criminal damage. The 13-year-olds admitted their actions and are now being dealt with under the Restorative Justice Scheme.
The parents of a group of six girls who were with them can all expect ASB letters.
Later in the evening a 19-year-old man was also given an ASB referral for throwing an object at the bus in Caerau Lane.
* Police are still appealing for information on an incident which occurred in Moira Terrace, Adamsdown, on Thursday, September 9. Stones were thrown at a Cardiff Bus, which was out of service, from the parkland opposite Cardiff Magistrates’ Court at around 6pm. Anyone with information is asked to contact Pc Rob Gunstone based at Rumney Police Station by calling 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
