MORE than 50 litres of alcohol were seized, and three children taken home to their parents, as part of a crackdown on bus vandalism.

The Trojan bus, which carries plain-clothed police officers posing as passengers, was on patrol in the Shadsworth, Whitebirk, Highercroft and Galligreaves areas of Blackburn, before continuing in areas of Burnley.

Officers caught 13 children throwing eggs at passing cars and they were given youth referral forms.

Two boys, aged 11 and 12, were taken home to their parents for throwing eggs towards the Trojan bus.

A drunken 14-year-old girl was taken home to her parents and officers seized between 50 and 75 litres of alcohol, including cider, alcopops, wine, beer and spirits.

A shopkeeper was warned after Trading Standards officers identified some of the seized alcohol had been bought from a local shop.

Operation Trojan follows complaints from residents, as well as bus and taxi companies, and aims to reduce anti-social behaviour, both on buses and in the areas they travel.

Sgt Andy Winter, from the Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “We will not tolerate crime and disorder on our public transport and will continue to work with other agencies to make sure the people of Blackburn and Burnley can travel around their boroughs safely.”