THE boss of Yellow Buses says he has seen antisocial behaviour fall in Bournemouth.

David Squire became managing director of the bus operator last autumn after previously working there as traffic manager in 2000.

Mr Squire, a former driver and conductor who has worked night buses in Liverpool, said he had seen behaviour improve in Bournemouth.

“When I worked here in 2000, there seemed to be a lot more antisocial behaviour issues than there are now,” he said.

“It used to be pretty commonplace that we’d have had a bus bricked and we’d lose a couple of windows and on a Friday and Saturday night it would be a lot more.

“I know Morebus has had some problems in Poole more recently but these days, it seems a bit more calm.”

Earlier this year, Morebus withdrew its buses from the Arne Avenue area after 4pm each day, after trouble with youths throwing objects at its buses and breaking windows.

Yellow Buses has temporarily withdrawn buses from several areas in the past, including Townsend and Cunningham Crescent. But Mr Squire, who comes from the north west, said standards of behaviour had improved.

“I get on a bus to work and the kids from school are very polite, saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ to the driver.

“In my home area you just wouldn’t get that. It’s great for everyone both in the company and outside that people are generally nice in this area. It helps that we don’t have the level of problems you get in other areas.”

Mr Squire was brought in to take charge of the loss-making Yellow Buses last October, after the departure of his predecessor Andrew Smith. His previous job was as commercial director of the company’s owner, RATP Dev, in the UK.

He describes himself as a “lifelong busman”, with 40 years’ experience in the industry, and badges from his conducting and driving days.

His previous stint with Yellow Buses came when it was based at Mallard Road.

“It’s amazing there are still quite a few people here who remember me from that time, particularly drivers and engineers. I do have knowledge of those areas of the business,” he said.