Arriva confirmed to the ECHO it had no plans to permanently re-route buses due to anti-social behaviour
Bus stops outside Morrisons in Speke, Liverpool(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Arriva has said it will not be permanently suspending buses every night in parts of Speke after a fake memo was circulated online. The ECHO has reported extensively on anti-social behaviour plaguing bus services in the south Liverpool area in recent months.
More recently, bus services were suspended again, avoiding the bus stops at Speke Morrisons, after Merseyside Police received a report a group of youths had started a fire on the upstairs deck of a bus parked outside the supermarket.
The group managed to escape when the bus driver went upstairs. When he confronted them outside, he was reportedly assaulted and had his glasses broken. The bus driver managed to drive away without injury.
Two 13-year-old boys from Speke were arrested on suspicion of assault and attempted criminal damage. They have been conditionally bailed pending enquiries.
The ECHO also published an extensive report in late February last year about gangs of children as young as 10 making people’s lives a misery in Speke, with residents reporting they were “setting fire to buses, blocking roads and launching fireworks at traffic”.
But Chief Inspector Neighbourhood Policing Chief Inspector Nathan Stockley told the ECHO earlier this week that such incidents have become less common over the last 12 months.
Earlier today, the ECHO was sent a notice, which was said to be an internal memo from Arriva. The memo said that, after March 1, bus services would no longer serve the Speke Estate or Speke Morrisons from 6pm every night.
The notice said: “This decision has been made in response to ongoing safety concerns and operational disruptions in the area.
“These changes are being implemented to ensure the continued safety of our staff and customers. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we transition to this revised service pattern.”
A spokesperson for Arriva North West however said the memo was completely untrue. A spokesperson said: “I can confirm that this ‘notice’ is fake and was not issued by Arriva, nor do we have any plans to permanently re-route the services.”
Arriva Merseyside previously told the ECHO incidents of anti-social behaviour are closely monitored and services will be withdrawn again if needed. A spokesperson added: “These decisions are not taken lightly, but the safety of our staff and passengers must come first.
“Our colleagues should be able to go to work without fear and our customers deserve to travel safely. We will always take decisive action where safety is compromised and we’ll continue to work with the police to help prevent further incidents.”
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said it was aware of the fake notice and referred us to the force’s statement earlier this week.
Officers issued 14 notices to youths from a dispersal zone put in place in Speke last weekend.
The Section 34 dispersal zone was introduced following an increase in reports of anti-social behaviour, including a report of youths starting a fire on a bus which resulted in bus routes temporarily being diverted.
High-visibility patrols in uniform and plain clothes were patrolling the streets throughout the weekend, and as result of the order 14 notices were handed out for incidents including youths cycling inside a shop, causing disruption to shoppers.
In addition, officers arrested two males in connection with the assault of a bus driver outside Morrisons Speke. Two 13-year-old males from Speke were arrested on suspicion of assault and attempted criminal damage. They have been conditionally bailed pending enquiries.
Neighbourhood Policing Chief Inspector Nathan Stockley said: “This dispersal zone is one of the many tools we use as a proactive measure to prevent anti-social behaviour from taking place.
“Although we have made two arrests in connection with the bus driver assault, our enquiries continue to identify anyone else involved.
“Anti-social behaviour is totally unacceptable, and we understand the impact it has on those living in the area has on businesses and residents, and this is one of our community priorities.
“This is a full partnership approach and the work we are doing is ongoing. Although there has been isolated incidents we have seen a decrease in anti-social behaviour in the last several months.
“Please be reassured that hi-visibility patrols will continue in the area, and our work with local schools through Safer Schools Officers is ongoing.
“A joint community surgery is held at Morrisons in Speke on a Thursday every two weeks for people to pop by and raise any concerns they may have so we can take action.
“I would urge parents and guardians to know where young people in your care are, what they are up to and friends they are with to further assist us in dealing with those who cause trouble.
“It is not only to stop them causing unnecessary distress to residents in the area, but also for their own safety and welfare.”