Misunderstanding leads to police bus investigation
AMISUNDERSTANDING sparked a police investigation when a group of children believed they were being offered sweets to get onto a bus.
The youngsters thought the driver was tricking them into getting on to the bus but had actually misheard him asking if they were going to St Bede’s school
They had been waiting at a bus stop on Church Road, Tarleton, on Thursday morning when the driver stopped as part of the journey to the Ormskirk high school.
The children did not answer and the bus drove away but warnings were soon posted on Facebook claiming the driver had offered sweets.
The post stated that the incident had been reported to police and added: “Luckily, these children attend a school that went back last week. They knew it wasn’t their bus and they ignored him. The driver drove off.
“However, a number of schools have gone back for their first day today. Please be aware.”
Lancashire Police investigated the case and watched CCTV footage from the bus, which included audio, before stating that there was no cause for concern.
Charlton Minibuses, the firm which operated the bus involved, posted a statement on social media explaining the circumstances of the incident.
It stated: “Various reports on social media today naming our company saying a driver tried to get children to board his bus saying he had sweets. This is completely untrue and the driver actually said “anyone for St Bedes” as that is where his bus was going.
“We have shown the cctv footage (with sound) to the police who have agreed that this was completely innocent and the children misheard what was actually said.”
PC Steve Birtles said: “I can confirm that this has been investigated, the coach has been found and its CCTV with sound, viewed. It’s a legitimate coach and the driver has been misheard by the children.”