National Express Coventry diverts buses due to ‘totally unacceptable anti-social behaviour’

A number of Coventry buses have had to be diverted from a troubled city street after being ‘targeted by youths’. National Express Coventry said in recent weeks that they had been forced to divert the 6 and 6A.

National Express Coventry said the 6 and 6A (from Coventry to Tanyard Farm) had to be diverted from Jardine Crescent in Tile Hill following “recurring issues with anti-social behaviour”. The youths caused chaos on bus journeys, with their behavior deemed “totally unacceptable”.

A 13-year-old boy, from Westwood Heath, has been warned about his behavior after tampering with a bus, West Midlands Police said. Officers are working with his family to provide “appropriate interventions”.

READ MORE: Fee paid for Coventry waste collection service ‘subject to price increase’

Police said they had only received one other report of anti-social behavior (ASB) on buses in the past three months, but urged people to report anything they witness so they can carry out further inquiries and check CCTV. Passengers can report ASB on bus journeys by texting ‘SeeSay’ to 81018.

Services 6 and 6A are now operating on their normal routes which include Jardine Crescent. Commuters should check X for up-to-date information on any changes, National Express said.

A West Midlands Police spokesman said: “We are aware of reports on social media of anti-social behavior on bus routes 6 and 6a in Jardine Crescent in Coventry. A 13-year-old boy from Westwood Heath who tampered with a bus causing it to be taken out of service has been given a warning and officers are working with the family to provide appropriate interventions.

“We urge people to report any ASB they experience on their bus journey by texting ‘SeeSay’ to 81018 with full details including bus route, time, location and what happened. Inquiries, including examination of CCTV, can then be carried out.”

A spokesman for National Express Coventry added: “Services continue to operate on the normal route, however a number of journeys have been diverted at short notice from Jardine Crescent in recent weeks due to recurring issues related to the targeted antisocial behavior. on buses. This is totally unacceptable and means our customers are out of service and unable to use a bus while we repair any damage to the vehicles.

“We continue to work closely with West Midlands Police to identify those involved and tackle this behaviour. We may continue to redirect services at short notice if it becomes necessary to protect the safety of our customers and our drivers. Customers should check X for up-to-date information on any changes to the services on that day.”

Sign up here for our FREE daily newsletter for all the latest news on Coventry.