The boss of a bus firm has hit out after youth terror forced the company to reroute key services.

McGill's announced on Friday (October 27) that a spate of 'dangerous' antisocial behaviour had forced the operator to curtail the 51, 51A, and 3 services in Barrhead after sundown.

Ralph Roberts, CEO of McGill's Group, said the services were being re-routed between 5pm until 5am each day following the "series of attacks".

Glasgow Times:

He claimed a person had been directly by something thrown at a bus in another incident and said that "manpower problems" within police had left the firm with no choice but to implement diversions in Barrhead.

Mr Roberts said: “Our primary concern is for the safety of our staff and customers.

"Throwing missiles, such as bricks, at a bus is incredibly dangerous.

"Someone could be hit directly – as they have been recently - or a driver could be forced to swerve, leading to an even more serious incident.

“We have alerted Police Scotland to the issues but due to manpower problems they have had limited ability to assist.

"We will keep this situation under review as our operational teams liaise with Police Scotland and the local community.

"We will reinstate the original route providing we can keep staff and customers safe.

“To deliver our vital public service, we need law and order to prevail.”

Glasgow Times:

Local community officer Police Constable Steven Wallace responded to the spate of incidents but claimed no one had been injured in the latest attacks.

He said: “Enquiries are ongoing following reports of anti-social behaviour and vandalism to buses in the Auchenback area of Barrhead.

“In recent weeks, there have been a number of bus windows smashed by youths in the area. There have been no reports of anyone being injured.

“We have been liaising with McGill's Buses and our partner agencies to address these issues and officers are carrying out additional patrols in the affected areas to reassure the public and trace those responsible."

We previously reported that the 3 and 51 McGill's services were diverted to avoid Auchenback, with the 3 serving Main Street only in Barrhead and the 51 running to and from Dovecothall Rondabot, Barrhead Main Street.

Constable Wallace said: “We urge parents, guardians and local communities to support us.

"If you see this type of behaviour, or youths congregating at bus stops and causing a disturbance, then please report it to us at the time so we can investigate.”

Information can be passed to officers through 101, quoting reference number 2329 of Sunday, October 29, 2023.