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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
National
Holly Lennon

Glasgow 'undercover' police to travel on First Bus services after spate of arson attacks

Plain-clothed police officers will be drafted onto First Bus services in Glasgow after a rise in anti-social behaviour.

First Bus Glasgow has threatened to axe a range of evening services that run through the Pollok area due to a spate of arson attacks that have put passengers and drivers 'at risk'.

The bus operator said on Friday that they have "no choice" but to cancel services that travel through the south side of the city unless community leaders step in.

Read more: Glasgow restaurant ran up £650k loss in six months and 'owes thousands' to contractors

The at-risk services are the 3, 10, 57 and X8, which all run through Pollok.

The move comes after a series of wilful fire-raising incidents on buses in Pollok, with one bus left 'significantly damaged' after a group of youths started a blaze on the top deck before getting off.

Police Scotland confirmed that as a result of these crimes, they would be putting undercover cops on buses which go through that area of Glasgow.

Taking to Twitter, First Glasgow warned that it may have to cancel services through Pollok after dealing with an "increasing number of arson attacks."

It wrote: "Regrettably First Glasgow has sustained an increasing number of arson attacks on buses putting staff and passengers at risk in the Pollok area of the city.

"This cannot continue and First Glasgow is seeking a joint response from community leaders to address the volume of criminal and anti-social behaviour taking place.

"If these attacks continue First Glasgow will be left with no alternative but to withdraw services from the area in the evening, with services 3, 10, 57 and X8 all being impacted."

Police Scotland Greater Glasgow added: "Pollok Community Officers, @FirstinGlasgow and @mcgillswest have launched an initiative aimed to reassure the community and detect those responsible for anti-social behaviour on the bus network in the Silverburn area. Officers will be on the buses in uniform and plain clothes."

One commenter added: "This is incredible, effectively an area of Glasgow becoming "no-go" for public transport in the evenings. First Glasgow left in the situation where they have to shame government/agencies into action."

Another said: "Just pointing out that the MSP for the Pollock area of Glasgow is Humza Yousaf. What has he done to help this situation? @HumzaYousaf."

Yobs have also been causing issues at McDonald's Silverburn terrorising staff and customers.

We previously reported how teenagers have been subjecting workers to vile racist taunts and physical attacks prompting the restaurant to stop any under 16's entering unaccompanied by an adult after 6pm.

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