BOSSES at a Bournemouth-based bus company have pulled its 1a service to the Somerford estate in Christchurch indefinitely over fears that ‘lives are at risk’.

Yellow Buses decision affects daytime and evening services and took effect from 6pm yesterday, June 14.

Evening services on the 1A to Somerford were suspended on April 6 after four separate incidents involving missiles being thrown at buses.

They were reinstated on May 12 after Yellow Buses said it was satisfied with actions taken by the police and local authorities.

However, there have since been two further incidents, the latest of which took place yesterday at 10am when a brick smashed a window on a single-decker bus.

No-one was injured in the attack at the junction of Somerford Road and Dennistoun Avenue but Yellow Buses said it was “only a question of time” before someone was seriously injured.

Managing director Andrew Smith said: “Withdrawing services is the absolute last resort but we are not prepared to put the lives of our customers and our staff at risk.

“I very much regret that innocent customers will suffer as a result of withdrawing both daytime and evening services. However, this latest attack, in broad daylight, is the last straw.

“Our 1a service will remain on permanent diversion indefinitely until we are totally satisfied it is safe to run buses in Somerford again.

“We would urge anybody who knows who is responsible for this latest attack to contact the police immediately.”

As a result of the diversion, the 1a service will use the Christchurch Bypass from Purewell Cross to the Sainsbury’s supermarket at Somerford.

The 1C service, which runs through the estate, remains in place. 

Dorset County councillor David Jones said: “It’s absolutely senseless vandalism “The people who do this kind of thing clearly don’t have the interests of Somerford at heart “They are causing problems for the vast majority of law-abiding citizens and damaging the reputation of Somerford in the process.”

District councillor Janet Abbott said: “We have assurances from the police that officer are doing everything they can to help. Unfortunately, a lot of youngsters who don’t live in Somerford are going to the estate, and that makes the situation extremely difficult. It is a big problem.”