BUS chiefs were forced to suspend services on a Hamworthy housing estate after one of their vehicles was targeted by thugs twice in the same day.

The window of a Morebus single-decker was smashed by vandals as it drove through the estate on Saturday evening.

No passengers were injured in the attack, but Morebus management decided to halt all route 8 and 9 services through the estate for the rest of the evening as a precaution.

Dorset Police were informed but no arrests have been made so far.

The route 9 bus came under fire - from what the transport firm says were 'missiles' - at 9.15pm on Turlin Road, close to the parade of shops.

Richard Wade, Morebus operations manager, said: "I can confirm there was an incident where a window was smashed by missiles thrown at a route 9 bus on Saturday evening.

"The same driver and vehicle were also targeted earlier in the day.

"No injuries were reported but the safety of our drivers and passengers is our top priority and, in anticipation of further attacks, we took the decision to re-route our services 8 and 9 that evening.

"We have reported this event to the police and are working closely with the authorities as they carry out their investigations - including the review of CCTV footage."

Morebus said normal services were reinstated the following day.

The original tweet from Morebus stated: "Due to a bus being vandalised in Turlin Moor, our 8 and 9 services will be not serving the estate for the remainder of the night.

"Services will instead operate directly between the Hamworthy Fire Station and the Recreational Ground (Blandford Road)."

In January Morebus temporarily suspended bus services in the Arne Avenue area of Poole, after company vehicles came under repeated attacks by youths, who hurled missiles and smashed windows as the buses drove past.