Stagecoach diverts events complex services after bus window broken

Stagecoach has temporarily diverted some Aberdeen bus services due to anti-social behaviour on a busy route.

The operator said that a window on one of its vehicles was broken with a stone at about 19:00 on Wednesday.

No 727 services will run to TECA (The Events Complex Aberdeen) between 18:00 and 23:00 until 24 October.

Police Scotland has asked anyone who witnessed the incident to contact them.

Stagecoach has said it will continue to work closely with TECA and the police to address anti-social behaviour and help prevent further incidents.

A spokesperson said: "Damage to our buses is unacceptable and comes at a cost, with replacement glass and fitting typically costing around £1,500 per incident, in addition to the cost of taking a vehicle out of service.

"Fortunately, on this occasion, we were able to source replacement windows from another vehicle awaiting repair, minimising disruption to our services.

"Our drivers and frontline colleagues regularly face challenging and, at times, unacceptable behaviour."

The company said it was a "wider societal issue" and it would continue working with others to tackle the problem.

Ch Insp Victoria Stables said: "Vandalism, especially throwing objects at buses is dangerous, reckless and completely unacceptable.

"Such behaviour puts the lives of drivers, passengers and other road users at risk, with the potential to cause serious injury."

Community Safety Minister Kirsten Oswald said such behaviour was "unacceptable" and the Scottish government supported police and local authorities in taking action.