Shot at Busses May Be Withdrawn…

Bus drivers on a Llanelli estate have had to run the gauntlet of kids armed with pellet guns and catapults.

Now police will be riding “shotgun” on the buses in the hope of stopping the attacks and catching the perpetrators. Because of the escalation of violence against them in recent weeks- including incidents of being spat at, First Cymru are threatening to withdraw the 111 service between Llanelli and Gorseinon after 5.30pm because of the risks to passengers as well as drivers.

Carmarthenshire Council executive board member for transport services Cllr Colin Evans said: “We need the immediate help of the community to save this well used night time bus service at Penygraig, Parc Richard. “The level and nature of this dangerous anti-social behaviour is completely unacceptable.

“There have been reports of incidents where a child used a catapult to hurl missiles at the window of a passing bus and another armed with an air rifle attacking a bus.”

Llwynhendy police and local councillors have been informed but attacks have not diminished. Cllr Evans said they were making one last appeal to the residents to help save the bus service by helping to influence and stamp out the attacks.

First Cymru bus services manager Owen Williams: “The police have been really helpful since the latest incident on Thursday night and are riding on the buses to try and catch those responsible. The passengers as well as the drivers are at risk because of these, midless attacks.” A spokesman for the council said this has historically been a difficult route and a previous bus operator, Veolia, in recent years withdrew the buses because of similar attacks.

He said: “There are health and safety risks to the drivers and passengers and unless these latest attacks on buses and drivers stop the nine buses operating between 5-11.30pm with be withdrawn.” The service is subsidised by both Carmarthenshire and Swansea City Council.