EXCLUSIVE: Screwdriver incident on school bus raises safety concerns

On 10 January 2019, Inverness pupils travelling home from Charleston Academy to the Kirkhill area noticed two adult women sitting at the front of the bus on the top deck of the double-decker bus.

MFR News understands a conversation was started between the two members of the public and two boys sitting near to them.

MFR News heard how the pair of women said they would kidnap them and buy them a puppy. And when the boys said no, one of the women pulled out what appeared to be a screwdriver.

A witness said the woman then went downstairs and spoke to the bus driver. The bus stopped for a few minutes and then continued.

Stagecoach recently took over the contract for school transport and allows the public to also use the service.

MFR News spoke to two parents after the incident, Jools Lawson has a child who goes to Charleston Academy. She said: 'My daughter came home distressed. She said they (the women) had been threatening the kids, and brandishing what they said was a screwdriver. Which just horrified me.

'We didn't realise that the school bus had turned into the public bus service until all these problems started to come to light.

Inverness parent: 'It just filled me with absolute horror'

'It just filled me with absolute horror about what they could be exposed to, and who they could be exposed to.

'Bearing in mind that we are talking about kids that could be 11 years old, it's just not safe.'

Inverness Mum Hayley Maber said: 'My daughter said there was a crazy lady on the bus and she had been brandishing a screwdriver at some of the other kids. It was really concerning.

'When she first came in and said it, it just didn't click. It just threw me, it took me by surprise. But then it was after when you have time to process it, and actually realise just how serious the incident was.

'Where we are, there isn't really a school I can move my daughter to without having to put her on a school bus or a bus. It's great if you can car share but it isn't always possible, some parents are working, some don't drive. I don't drive.'

MFR News obtained a letter sent to parents from the school in December 2018 stating Stagecoach would be taking over the contract and there should not be any change in the service. It also said the situation will be closely monitored by Charleston Academy.

Hayley Maber and Jools Lawson both mentioned concerns with timeliness and capacity with the school bus service.

Stagecoach: 'Safety is our absolute priority and we are investigating.'

A spokesperson for Stagecoach North Scotland said: "From Monday 7th January we have identified issues with capacity on the school buses we operate from Charleston Academy.

''We have had a member of staff at the school each day last week to monitor the situation and will be working with the Highland Council to ensure that the children are allocated passes to resolve this issue.

''Safety is our absolute priority and we are investigating allegations regarding the conduct of members of the public on Charleston school buses and will resolve this directly with the Highland Council."

A Highland Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of concerns about timekeeping and capacity on the new Charleston Academy - Kirkhill bus service which is a shared public service.

''The contract has been running for a week and measures have been put in place to make improvements.”

A Highland Council spokesperson said: “On Thursday 10th January an incident took place in the evening on the bus between Charleston Academy and Kirkhill.

The incident involved members of the public. No children were injured. The incident was reported to the Police.”

MFR News contacted Highland Police who issued the following statement:

"Police Scotland was made aware of a disturbance on board a bus travelling between Inverness and Kirkhill on Thursday, January 10.

"Nobody was injured in the incident and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.

"Anyone with information which could assist enquiries is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident 549 of January 11. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.''