Inverness pupils accused of 'mindless vandalism' of D&E school buses
Inverness school pupils have been accused of “mindless vandalism” after buses on the Millburn Academy to Milton of Leys school run were seriously damaged sparking fury from the owner-operator of D&E coaches.
Councillor Duncan Macpherson said he received a phone call from Donald Mathieson complaining about the situation which he said was unprecedented and subsequently posted about the incidents online.
Handles were ripped off seats, a seat back was broken off and cut with a sharp bladed instrument and after viewing CCTV from the buses the head teacher at Millburn Academy was informed.
- Related story: Public toilets hit by vandals
After Stagecoach withdrew from the run, D&E stepped in at short notice on Monday but by the end of yesterday Mr Mathieson was already considering whether to continue the contract.
'Delinquent youngsters'
According to Cllr Macpherson's post, Mr Mathieson said: “I’ve never witnessed anything like this damage before and I’m furious. The delinquent youngsters can all walk instead – they will have to learn to behave the hard way.
“Yesterday [Monday] badly behaved youngsters threw pasta and uneaten packed lunches over the bus and ripped the seat fabric and broke the grab handles on my new buses. They’ve no respect for other people’s property.
“It’s a sad indictment of today’s society and I’m sure the parents and teachers would be as incensed as I am at their disgraceful behaviour minutes after leaving school for the afternoon.”
Cllr Macpherson said: “When you have someone with long experience of coaches and buses like Donald Mathieson saying he’s never seen anything like it then you know that it must be bad and that is really disgusting.
“With the benefit of CCTV I would hope that the culprits are identified and that with the operator reconsidering the contract that the majority of secondary school pupils will not have to suffer due to the actions of a few.
“I am sure the school does not want this and I hope that if those responsible are identified then their teachers, parents and friends will take them to task over this because it is really not acceptable.”
A Highland Council spokeswoman said: "The school is working with their community police officer over this matter so it is not appropriate for us to say anything further while investigations are taking place.
"We can however confirm that Stagecoach terminated their contract, giving the reason as shortage of drivers so D&E agreed to operate a temporary contract for us until the Christmas holidays."
'Let them walk'
The incident provoked a strong reaction from the public on Cllr Macpherson's post.
Nicole Gocher wrote: “I agree this is awful but I don't feel stopping the buses is fair on all the children who do show respect and rely on that service to get them to school and back. CCTV would definitely be an option.”
Sonya Johnstone Cooper suggested: “Let their parents take them see how they behave then”, while Laura Maclennan added: “Utter disrespect, pull the buses, they certainly don’t deserve a school bus.”
Fiona Morgan said: “I agree with him pulling the contract. These kids don’t deserve the service”, and Neil Watson said: “I hope the council will be paying for the repairs and the kids involved are charged.”
Brian Macpherson wrote: “I used to drive buses and the Milton of Leys school kids were by far the worst behaved out of all the school services. I see nothing has changed. It was one of the shortest journeys, luckily. Make them walk!”
