'MINDLESS' vandals who have caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to buses in Newport, bringing disruption to services across the city, have been condemned by transport company chiefs.

Bus windows have been smashed during incidents in which missiles have been also been thrown at the front of vehicles.

Newport Bus has reported damage to six windows on six buses during the past 48 hours, with two attacks taking place in broad daylight yesterday afternoon.

And NAT Group has reported incidents on its X5 service in the city's Ringland area, and others further afield, in parts of Cardiff.

Both operators diverted buses in the Ringland area of Newport last night as a precaution, to prevent further attacks. All routes are currently operating normally.

(The above map shows the locations of the recent attacks on buses in Newport, with specific sites marked in orange, and unspecific sites in blue.)

"We were lucky that no physical injuries occurred this time around," a spokeswoman for Newport Bus told the Argus earlier today.

"We cannot stress enough how dangerous this type of behaviour is to all involved."

The comments followed an angry Tweet by Newport Bus last night, which read: "Four attacks in two days, this mindless violence needs to stop before someone gets seriously injured. This also means four buses off the road."

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The managing directors of NAT Group and Newport Transport have now issued a joint statement condemning the vandalism and vowing that the firms will do all they can to help apprehend those responsible. 

“These recent acts of vandalism are unacceptable and we are working alongside our neighbouring operator - Newport Bus - and the police to increase vigilance amongst the general public," said NAT Group managing director Adam Keen..

“Whilst we don’t want to alarm intending passengers, we do want to make them aware of the situation and explain why some services have unfortunately had to be disrupted. We are not planning any further diversions beyond last night unless specific issues are raised.

“There does seem to be a certain demographic responsible for the recent attacks, and I think the combination of Halloween and half term has exacerbated the issue.

“Our passengers can rest assured that as a trusted company, we are doing everything in our power to prevent further occurrences.”

Newport Transport managing director Scott Pearson said that on Monday evening two buses were damaged by rocks thrown at the windows in the Ringland area, and the route was modified to protect staff and passengers.

"What is more concerning is the attack that took place on Tuesday afternoon," he said.

"his time, projectiles were thrown at the front of two separate buses. All were extremely lucky that it did not hit and break the windscreen.

“We cannot stress enough how dangerous this type of behaviour is to all involved.

"One of the perpetrators of Tuesday’s attack has been recognised and their details have been passed to the police who have also advised that from Wednesday PCSOs and officers will be on duty on the buses.

"Newport Bus will continue to work with Gwent Police for the safety of our drivers and passengers and we will use our external facing CCTV cameras to identify the individuals responsible.“

If you have any information about the incidents, telephone Newport Bus on 01633 670563, NAT Group on 029 2044 2040, or Gwent Police on 101.

Where and when buses been attacked in Newport this week?

  • Monday, between 5pm-6pm, vandals threw rocks at two buses – one in Ringland and one in Cromwell Road.
  • Tuesday, 2pm, stones were thrown at a number 42/43 bus windscreen in Corporation Road. Newport Bus said the stones "smashed the destination panel just above the driver. All were extremely lucky that it did not hit and break the windscreen".
  • Tuesday, 6pm, a number 42 service bus window was smashed in Cromwell Road.
  • Tuesday, 6.15pm, a number 6/7 service bus window was smashed in Aberthaw Road.
  • Tuesday, 8pm, the number 19E bus was attacked on Malpas Road, near the Harlequin Roundabout McDonald's stop. The bus door was smashed.

Gwent Police officers and community support officers have previously conducted 'ride-alongs' with bus drivers to deter would-be vandals from attacking the vehicles and this policy has been operating.

"This behaviour is unacceptable," said Sergeant Chris Back.

"We will not tolerate the safety of others being put in jeopardy in this way.

"We take reports of this nature extremely seriously and have increased high-visibility patrols around those areas.

"Officers are travelling on local bus routes to discourage this reckless behaviour as well as provide reassurance to bus drivers and their passengers.

"Our schools liaison officers have delivered inputs in local schools. This will continue after the half-term break where the consequences of such dangerous behaviour will be made clear. We have been extremely fortunate that there have not been any injuries."

Sgt Back said inquiries are continuing, with officers looking through local CCTV and footage on the buses themselves.

"We would urge anyone with any information or who may have witnessed these incidents to get in contact," he added.

"If anyone has any concerns about anti-social or troublesome behaviour in their local area, they are asked to call the police on 101, or 999 in an emergency.”

This morning, Newport West AM Jayne Bryant called the attacks "absolutely awful for bus drivers who are doing their job, and frightening for any passengers aboard".