Windows of buses left shattered after yobs target services on Sunderland streets

Northumbria Police is working to establish whether the double attack involved items being catapulted or fired at the vehicles, but have linked the incidents.

The first happened just before 7pm on Wednesday, November 18, involving a number 20 Go North East service on Barnes Park Road, followed by another half-an-hour later in Springwell Road, as a 16 Stagecoach service was targeted.

Anita Armstrong’s husband Peter was on the number 20 when it came under fire and said: “He’s fine, he was just a bit shaken up.

"There were two pellets fired at the bus and one hit the first window behind the driver and the second window and he was sitting next to the third, so if there had been a third shot it might have got him.

“Just got a huge shock with the noise and the bus came to an abrupt stop.”

Sergeant Keith Goldsmith said: “An investigation has been launched following two incidents of criminal damage in the Barnes area of Sunderland yesterday.

“The first happened shortly before 7pm when a bus window was smashed while it was travelling on Barnes Park Road.

"We then received a similar report 30 minutes later after a second bus had been targeted on Springwell Road.

“On both occasions, a window has been smashed after an unknown object is believed to have been thrown, catapulted or fired at it.

"Thankfully nobody was injured in either incident, which we are currently treating as linked.

“This type of mindless behaviour is totally unacceptable and incredibly dangerous.

"A full investigation has been launched to identify those responsible and anyone found to have been involved will be dealt with swiftly and robustly.”

A spokesperson for Stagecoach North East said: "We are assisting the police with their inquiries into the circumstances after a recent increase in the number of similar incidents in the area."

Stephen King, commercial director at Go North East, said: “In addition to the driver there were three passengers on board the bus at the time and luckily none of them were injured.”

Anyone with information can contact police via the Tell Us Something page of its website or call 101 quoting logs 939 and 998 181120.

Support your Echo and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest on SAFC and new puzzles every day. With a digital subscription, you can see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.