HOOLIGANS responsible for a spate of missile attacks on buses in Ipswich are today being warned they could kill someone.

Colin Adwent

HOOLIGANS responsible for a spate of missile attacks on buses in Ipswich are today being warned they could kill someone.

Police are urging youngsters to think about the consequences after 10 incidents which left one passenger injured and others showered with glass.

A spokeswoman for Ipswich Police said: “We are taking these incidents extremely seriously and fear that it is only a matter of time until someone is killed or seriously injured.”

Moving buses in the Chantry and the west areas of the town have been targeted over the past four months.

A 45-year-old man received a small cut behind one of his ears while travelling on a bus in Greenfinch Avenue, Ipswich, at about 8.30pm Friday, April 10.

Two of the attacks have occurred in Bridgwater Road, one at 7pm on Saturday, March 28, the other at 7.40pm Monday April 6.

Objects have also been hurled twice at buses in Hawthorn Drive. The first was on Saturday, February 7, the second at 7.20pm on March 31.

Safer Neighbourhood Teams have had community support officers riding on the relevant bus routes, house to house enquiries have been conducted and letters delivered.

CCTV is being checked and plain-clothed patrols are being conducted in the areas affected.

Inspector Richard Lane, who is responsible for west Ipswich said: “These incidents are causing me and my officers great concern. I urge the offenders to think seriously about the potential consequences of their actions.

“We are doing all we can and working closely with Ipswich buses to stop these offences and are determined to catch the offenders and bring them to justice before a more serious incident occurs.

“I appeal to the public to report any information that could assist us with this investigation and to report any suspicious activity.”

Dean Robbie - operations manager for Ipswich Buses said: “We support Ipswich police in the action they are taking to stop these potentially dangerous offences and will vigorously pursue convictions on anybody caught committing these mindless acts of vandalism.”

Anyone with any information about these incidents should contact Suffolk Police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.