Tackling problems on the buses

At the recent Netherburn Tenants and Residents Association meeting, one of the Local Problem Solving Team officers highlighted to me ongoing issues that some bus drivers were experiencing from a minority of passengers.

Drivers were, on occasion, being subjected to intimidation and sometimes verbal abuse. Additionally, some damage was caused to the buses and as such this became a local priority.

In the last fortnight, a further meeting was arranged and representatives from the bus service were able to explain the experiences of their drivers. This allowed the local representatives to better understand their situation.

It is hoped that by sharing this information with the wider community, that this will lead to the minority of those who have committed criminal acts not to do so again – and encourage others to behave respectfully towards the drivers.

And it is also hoped that the community will provide any information they have to assist the police in their investigations into any reported issues.

It is of course not a matter that is purely unique to Netherburn, and local police officers in Hamilton had cause to respond to a request for assistance from a driver at the Hamilton Bus Station on July 1.

The driver had refused to allow a person on the bus who had been barred due to his conduct on a previous occasion. The person responsible then allegedly began to make threats towards the driver before making off.

Police were able to subsequently trace the male responsible and to proffer a charge against him. This driver was very upset by the incident, not least because the windows on his bus were later smashed when completing his route.

Staying with Hamilton, a theft occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, July 4, at the premises of Tesco Express, Hillhouse Road. A male described as white, 5ft 9ins and wearing a bluejacket with a red stripe down the centre, blue tracksuit trousers and white trainers is believed to be responsible for stealing a quantity of foodstuffs.

Please contact PC Craven at Hamilton Police office if you have any information relating to this incident.

Police in Larkhall are investigating a break in to the Hareleeshill Sports Barn which occurred in the early hours of Friday, July 6. On this occasion those responsible did not manage to steal anything, but any information relating to this should be passed to PC Whyte at Larkhall Police office.

Station Road, Larkhall, was the location of where a brick was put through a window of a home around 11.45pm on Tuesday, July 3, endangering the occupants. A darkcoloured vehicle, similar in shape to a Vauxhall Corsa, was seen near to the scene and made off, chased by the home owner. PC Edwards at Hamilton Police Office is the officer looking into this matter.

If you have any information you feel should be reported, please call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.