Lothian Buses: Edinburgh locals blast 'horrible thugs' for window smashing after same number 49 bus route attacked twice in one night

Locals have blasted ‘horrible thugs’ for smashing windows after the same number 49 bus route was attacked twice on Sunday evening.

The 49 route was attacked twice in one night.

Police statements have revealed that two number 49 services had their windows smashed on Sunday evening, May 2.

One 49 service had its window smashed at the junction of Wishaw Terrace and London Road at around 6pm and the other 49 service had its window smashed on Old Dalkeith Road in Edinburgh at 8.45pm.

In two separate statements, Police Scotland said that no one was injured however enquiries are ongoing.

It is the latest in a series of similar incidents, with Edinburgh’s public transport services subject to multiple attacks by groups of youths in recent weeks.

Since the attacks, locals have warned about the ‘life threatening’ danger window smashing from ‘horrible thugs’ creates within the community.

Responding to the attack, a passenger who was on the 49 service travelling along Old Dalkeith Road at 8.45pm on Sunday, said they were grateful to have been sitting away from where the projectiles landed.

They said: “I was one of four people upstairs and what a fright, so be careful guys.

"We were all thankful none of us chose those seats.”

Another Edinburgh resident took to Facebook to make those who may and have committed these window smashing offences reconsider doing so.

He said: "Luckily passengers were sitting on opposite seats as bricks came straight through or could have caused a serious injury or even worse someone losing their life.

"Posts like mine go up all the time now as it happens regularly all over the city, but what is the answer, and will these horrible thugs ever stop?

"If you are reading this post and you are one of the kids or teenagers that throw stones at buses imagine if one hit your mum, dad, granny, wee sis or brother or an innocent baby would it still be a good laugh?

"Parents please check where your kids are as one of them could be yours throwing stones and bricks.

"Also drivers are trying to do there jobs and shouldn’t come to work worried if they or there bus is next target.”

Lesley Macinnes, Edinburgh City Council’s Transport Convener said: “I was dismayed to learn that this kind of frightening, downright dangerous behaviour is continuing on our buses.

"We saw the serious impact previous attacks on public transport had, both for drivers and passengers, leading to the difficult decision by Lothian Buses to temporarily suspend services in March.

“The perpetrators of these incidents are putting even more pressure on these key services, and those who have worked so hard to deliver them throughout the pandemic.

“I would ask anyone with information relating to these incidents that can help Police Scotland track down those responsible to come forward as a matter of urgency.”

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