BOBBIES are being invited back on to the buses in a bid to reassure passengers that public transport is safe.

Bosses at Preston Bus want policemen to feel free to jump on to their buses if they need to travel round town.

Their suggestion comes after bus drivers spoke to the Citizen about their worries about working on the town's bus network.

They claim some routes have become a virtual no-go zone at night, with badly-behaved teeangers scaring passengeras off the buses.

One said: "There is no doubt about it, it is much more intimidating travelling on a bus than it used to be.

"There used to be a time when policemen would jump on the bus as part of his beat and make sure everything was all right.

"It certainly meant their weren't as many problems as we have nowdays."

Buses travelling around the town centre have recent come under attack from brick-throwing teenagers. Several incident have been reported to the police, who are looking into the problem.

It is hoped the presence of bobbies will bring an end to problems currently facing bus drivers and passengers, including unruly youngsters.

Peter Bell, managing director at Preston Bus, said: "Police officers can travel for free on our buses and we would like to see them more often.

"Traffic wardens have the same arrangements and they do use us to get around town."

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