Appeal for information following criminal damage to buses in Halewood and Belle Vale

We are appealing for information following reports of criminal damage to buses in Halewood and Belle Vale on Monday, 12 July.

At around 9.45pm, it was reported that three male youths were throwing bricks at traffic from a bridge on Lydiate Lane.

The youths were reported to have made off in the direction of Belle Vale.

During the incident, the window of an Arriva number 76 bus was reported to have been smashed.

No injuries to the driver or passengers were reported, but the driver was left shaken by the incident.

At around 10.30pm it was further reported that youths were throwing objects from the loopline bridge on to Belle Vale Road.

Patrols attended the area but the youths had dispersed.

It was later reported that a Huyton Travel 174 HTL bus was damaged by a paving slab thrown from the bridge. No injuries were reported.

Police believe the incidents to be linked. Enquiries are ongoing and patrols have been stepped up in the area to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.

Community Inspector Peter Rexwinkel said: “This kind of reckless behaviour can have very serious consequences and it is extremely fortunate nobody was hurt on this occasion.

“I would like to reassure the community that we are working hard to find those responsible for these disgraceful incidents. We have had meetings with bus companies and the Council and are working together with our partners to prevent similar incidents from happening again.

“We have a dedicated policing operation, Operation Stockholm, focussed on the loopline involving officers patrolling on foot, bikes and an quad bikes, particularly in areas where the public tell us there may be issues. You will see an increased police presence on the loopline over the coming days while we work to find those responsible and to ensure the area remains safe for everyone to enjoy.

"We know the nuisance and disruption caused by wanton acts of criminal damage such as this and therefore I would urge all parents and guardians of young people across Merseyside to know where they are, who they are with and what they are doing.

"This type of criminality can have a serious impact on drivers and passengers alike and we will simply not tolerate such behaviour. If you know anything about who is putting our communities at risk in this way, please contact us so that we can take proactive action.”

Officers are appealing for anyone with any information on this incident to contact police by direct messaging @MerPolCC, ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook with reference 21000489165. You can also call Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.