BUS firm bosses condemned the acts of youths who targeted a public service and other cars travelling along a busy road.

Police were called after a bus window was smashed and a group were seen throwing stones at passing cars on Wednesday night.

Officers were called to Somerford Road in Christchurch on two occasions following the reports of anti-social behaviour.

In one incident, a bus window was smashed, possibly by a catapult, police say. This took place around 6.10pm.

Yellow Buses diverted the 1a service away from the area, via Christchurch Bypass, for more than two hours due to the attack.

Police officers were called again at 8.50pm to youths throwing stones at cars. A search of the area was carried out. No arrests have been made.

No one on the bus at the time of the incident was injured, but the actions have been slammed by the firm’s boss.

David Squire, Yellow Buses Managing Director, said: “A bus operating on our 1a service had a window smashed after being hit by a missile, believed to be a stone, at approximately 6.10pm on Wednesday, August 29 in Somerford Road, Christchurch. No-one was injured. CCTV has been recovered from the vehicle and will be examined.

“Following the incident the 1a service was diverted from Purewell Cross to the Somerford terminus via Christchurch bypass. Normal services were resumed at approximately 8.30pm.

“The safety of our passengers and staff is paramount and we will not tolerate any behaviour which puts lives at risk. We urge anyone with information about this incident to contact police.”

The bus company replaced the window yesterday morning and the vehicle returned to service.

Neighbourhood Inspector Stu Pitman, of East Dorset police, said: “We are continuing to liaise with the bus company involved in relation to the incident and officers from the local Neighbourhood Policing Team will be carrying out increased patrols in the area.

“Anyone who witnesses anti-social behaviour or has information about those responsible is urged to report it to Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101.”

The area has a history of issues surrounding anti-social behaviour and buses.

Two years ago, two Yellow Buses vehicles were attacked by yobs, who threw bricks and stones, in one evening,

Further incidents took place in the months that followed, leading to the bus firm withdrawing the 1a service until safety could be ensured on the established route.

This move was described as the “absolute last resort”.