Buses are being targeted by ‘lawless’ teens hurling fireworks towards vehicles and smashing windows, terrified drivers say.
Transport staff in the West Midlands are experiencing a growing trend of antisocial behaviour on public transport, an issue plaguing the nation with a 24 per cent increase in reports across the UK.
Andy Collett, who has been driving bus routes in Birmingham for 38 years, claims he has been ‘attacked by about 30 school children’, which left him with ‘cuts and bruises’ after the group tried to storm on board.
‘I’ve been assaulted twice, spat at numerous times, and I’ve had incidents of broken windows. It’s just part and parcel of the job, unfortunately,’ he said.
Mr Collett said ‘lawlessness’ among young passengers is becoming increasingly common and that he tries to avoid shifts where he’d be travelling on routes with a reputation for antisocial behaviour.
Neil Evans, bus driver for 33 years, has also witnessed an increase in antisocial behaviour, saying that ‘society has changed’.
He told the BBC: ‘They just walk onto the bus and do what they want, when they want, how they want, and nothing’s done about it.’
CCTV footage showed the moment masked teenagers threw a barrage of fireworks at buses in Birmingham over Halloween and Bonfire Night.
CCTV footage shows the shocking moment that masked teenagers threw a barrage of fireworks at buses over Halloween and Bonfire Night
Halloween night saw nine people arrested in Birmingham after the city descended into a ‘war zone’ as unruly yobs launched fireworks at the packed double-decker bus
Neil Evans, who has been a bus driver for 33 years, says he has witnessed an increase in antisocial behaviour claiming that ‘society has changed’
Halloween night in Birmingham saw nine people arrested after the city descended into a ‘war zone’ as unruly yobs launched fireworks at the packed double-decker bus.
The terrifying clip emerged on social media of the hooded thugs hurling dozens of rockets in rapid succession at the vehicle.
Nearby in Solihull, a Public Space Protection Order has been imposed at Chelmsley Wood to stop youths from gathering in large groups and to force them to remove masks and hoods.
Bus driver Bryan Cook recently called police after he was threatened with a knife, while driving the 72 bus to Chelmsley Wood.
‘We keep telling everyone. No one does anything,’ Mr Cook told the BBC.
The British Transport Police has recorded an increase of 24 per cent in antisocial behaviour in 2024/25, rising to 40,034 incidents.
Young passenger Elle Furlong, 17, said she will ‘avoid buses at all costs’.
‘They smash windows, purposely pull the fire alarm, light their lighters on the chairs. It’s just horrendous,’ she said.
Transport Safety Officers (TSOs) were introduced in 2019, but have limited powers to tackle issues on public transport.
Transport staff in the West Midlands say they are experiencing a growing trend of antisocial behaviour on public transport. Pictured: A group of youths brawl outside a butstop in the West Midlands
Terrifying footage emerged on social media of the hooded thugs hurling dozens of rockets in rapid succession at the vehicle
The British Transport Police has recorded an increase of 24 per cent in antisocial behaviour in 2024/25, rising to 40,034 incidents
Mr Cook said he has called the police four times in the past three months, but insists that more help is needed for bus drivers.
Speaking directly to a TSO, he said: ‘Where are you on the weekends? Where are you on school holidays?’
‘We’re the ones getting threatened, we’re the ones getting stuff thrown at us, broken windows. Where are you lot?’
The Department for Transport described the abuse of bus passengers and staff as ‘unacceptable’, and said that the government’s recent Bus Services Act will allow local authorities to tackle antisocial behaviour such as smoking and fare evasion.
Transport for West Midlands says it will increase the use of drone cameras and AI analysis to identify anti-social hotspots in a bid to prevent issues.
It recently launched a campaign prioritising the safety of women and girls alongside West Midlands Police, British Transport Police and transport operators.
Simon Foster, West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, said: ‘By combining better design, new technology and dedicated officers, we are tackling crime and antisocial behaviour, while ensuring passengers feel safe and confident whenever they travel.’
A spokesperson for National Express West Midlands said: ‘All reports of antisocial behaviour or crime are fully investigated to ensure perpetrators are held accountable, to identify any learnings, and to provide support for those affected.
‘Antisocial behaviour will always be a subject we need to keep challenging and working on and we welcome the fact that the new Bus Services Act will give local authorities greater powers in terms of tackling antisocial behaviour and helping to improve general safety on buses.’