Windows smashed on Salisbury Reds bus after catapult fired in Downton

The service had school children on board

Author: Henrietta CreaseyPublished 15th Dec 2021
Last updated 15th Dec 2021

Wiltshire Police are investigating after three windows of a Salisbury Red bus were smashed in Downton.

The 44 service from Salisbury to Woodfalls was travelling along Moot Lane around 4.30pm when the incident happened.

Officers believe a catapult was used to shoot ball bearings at the windows.

Most of the passengers were school children, several of those on board say the bus was targeted twice as it made its way along the road before turning in Saxon Close and being struck on the way back.

Wiltshire Police say there were no injuries whilst a parent has described it as a 'miracle nobody was hurt'.

Another mum told Greatest Hits Radio it's left her son feeling anxious;

"This incident is unbelievably shocking, especially in such a small community. This stupidity needs to be stopped before something very serious occurs. My son is now worrying about going to school on the bus in case it happens again."

The general manager of Salisbury Reds, Alex Chutter said " this dangerous behaviour will not be tolerated."

He added;

"We are reviewing CCTV to identify the perpetrators, and are being assisted by the police."

The incident happened as the bus travelled along Moot Lane in Downton

Anyone with any information is urged to contact Wiltshire Police on 101 and quote crime reference number 54210121797.

Downton and the surrounding villages of Redlynch and Woodfalls have been subject to a number of incidents involving catapults over the past two years.

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