Kentish Express Ashford & District
Buses return to housing estate after knife threat
A bus company which stopped serving a housing estate at night following a string of threatening incidents has resumed its service on a trial basis.
Last month, Stagecoach suspended its route B service to the Bridgefield estate during the evenings following reports of anti-social and threatening behaviour involving youths.
Buses stopped entering the estate after 6pm following an incident where a driver was threatened by a teenager for not allowing him to drive the bus.
Instead, passengers had to continue their journeys on foot from
Bluebell Road, despite being charged the full fare.
At the time, one bus user said he was told by the driver they were no longer serving the estate because of “bad kids with knives”.
But from yesterday (Wednesday), Stagecoach started serving Bridgefield in the evenings again on a trial basis.
The trial was agreed after meetings took place between the transport company and police.
In response to concerns, police have provided safety advice to Stagecoach and plain clothes officers will patrol the area.
The two boys involved will also attend restorative educational sessions at Ashford police station.
Inspector Jason Atkinson, from Ashford community safety unit, said: “We are committed to preventing antisocial behaviour and we fully aware that the actions of a small group of people can have a big impact on the wider community.
“In recent months we have received reports of antisocial behaviour in the Bridgefield estate area, including a group of young people who kicked a bus in late October and another report that a bus driver was verbally abused in early November.
“Residents, and businesses, are asked to help officers by reporting any concerns they have so an accurate picture can be built on issues affecting a particular area. If a crime is in progress, dial 999.”