A bus driver was reportedly spat at by a group of seven children, who chased the bus and caused damage to the engine.
Police were called to a scene on Wallasey Road in Wirral on Saturday evening after a large group chased after the 413 Arriva bus service on bikes before assaulting the female bus driver.
The group managed to switch off the engine from behind the bus and made off before police arrived shortly after 5.40pm.
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A local woman who witnessed the event said the group of ‘little darlings’ put the Arriva service ‘out of action’.
Writing about the experience on a community Facebook page, the woman wrote: “I hope parents know where their little darlings are. There's a group in Liscard by Wilkos making nuisances of themselves.
“They've just put the 413 out of action.”
On the post, where people flocked to share similar experiences of groups in the same area, the woman explained how the yobs 'terrorised' the driver.
The woman added: “[They went] to the extent of damaging the doors and spitting in the face of the driver.
“[They] broke the engine at the back of the bus. Then decided to knacker the doors to the extent of booting them to the extent of being unsafe to use. Despite the fact of traumatising the driver."
The area has already seen a dispersal zone put in place within the last month after young people were reported to be causing damage to phone boxes, bins and windows in Liscard town centre.
Police reported a group had also been intimidating members of the public, shop workers and delivery drivers in the area.
An Arriva spokesperson said: "We work closely with Merseyside Travel-Safe and we do not tolerate any incidents of antisocial behaviour directed at either our employees or customers.
"The details have been reported to Merseyside police and CCTV has been downloaded to aid in any investigations."
Saturday’s incident is now being investigated by the police.
A spokesperson said: “At around 5.40pm on Saturday 19 February officers were called to a report of criminal damage on Wallasey Road.
“A group of seven youths riding push bikes rode towards the back of a bus and switched off the engine. They then assaulted the driver of the bus and rode off towards Domino’s Pizza on Wallasey Road.
“Officers carried out CCTV and witness enquiries in the area at the time of the incident."
If you witnessed the incident, or have any information you are asked to contact Merseyside Police on their social media desk on Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ with Log 0682 of 19/02/2022.
You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information .
