CHILDREN as young as 12 are "terrorising, spitting and knocking elderly people over" in Poole bus station.

Residents close to the station, which regularly sees anti-social behaviour from teenagers, have expressed their anger and concern over recent levels of crime.

Sharon, a café worker at the bus station, said: “Kids from the age of 12 are out here every day, terrorising, spitting, knocking elderly people over.

“They assaulted a lady that was here after she went after them when they headbutted her window and smashed it. 

"They need taking back to their parents and them being fined. In the north they send them to bootcamps, we need to start doing that down here too. 

Read more: Police disperse "known troublemakers" at Poole bus station

She added the police’s response to crime in the area hasn’t been enough to stop it, saying: “The police say they can’t do anything and that they’ve been trying for over two years, but they’re never here when you need them. 

Richard Wade, Morebus general manager, said the situation remains a “concern”, adding “we are working closely with the police and other agencies to improve the site. 

“We are continuing to report incidents of anti-social behaviour whenever we become aware of it - including providing statements and CCTV footage - so that the authorities can take appropriate action.  

“Once perpetrators have been identified, we always pursue the strongest possible action against them.” 

Read more: Yellow Buses axe Poole Bus Station stops due to anti-social behaviour problems

Data from the police reveals in March of this year there were 18 reports of crime at the bus station, including eight counts of anti-social behaviour and two cases of drugs offences – and not all these reports ended in prosecution.

Neighbourhood Inspector Danny Tamblyn, of Poole Police, said: “Poole bus station remains an area that Dorset Police and other key multi-agency partners are continuing to focus on to prevent further issues with anti-social behaviour. 

Dorset Police has partnered with the council, Morebus and the Youth Offending Service to coordinate action across the area, which will look at increasing CCTV and lighting in the underpass and developing a young person exploitation meeting to bring health, social care, youth services and education together. 

Inspector Tamblyn added: “We will continue to conduct regular patrols on foot within the area at all times of day and night to robustly target anti-social behaviour as well as to engage with the majority of members of the community of all ages making legitimate use of the facilities.”