More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
A bus company which stopped serving a housing estate at night following a string of threatening incidents is set to resume its service on a trial basis.
Last month, Stagecoach suspended its route B service to the Bridgefield Estate in Ashford 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".
He told KentOnline: "I couldn't help but think if it is so dangerous, why are you making me walk through the area to get back home?"
But now, Stagecoach has announced that evening buses will return to Bridgefield tomorrow 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: "Kent Police 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.
"Anyone with concerns is encouraged to report it to us via our website, or by calling 101. If a crime is in progress, dial 999."
Joel Mitchell, managing director at Stagecoach South East, added: “We were gutted to have to temporarily suspend buses in the evenings; it wasn’t a decision we made lightly but we won’t tolerate threats or abuse to our staff.
"Serving the community is what we’re all about and it pains us that we’ve been unable to do that.
"We’ve been encouraged by the strength of local support for the restoration of a normal service and we’ve had some really positive meetings with the police and community support team.
"As a result we’re going to put a full service back there from Wednesday.”
Route B buses run between Kennington, the town centre, Park Farm and Bridgefield up to every 12 minutes throughout the day and every 30 minutes in the evenings.
