A BUS operator could pull out of its routes through Thornhill if vandals continue to terrorise passengers and drivers.

Solent Blue Line's transport manager Peter Lane said each month a couple of windows are broken on buses covering all of its four routes in Southampton.

"We get a couple of incidents every month and once we had a spate of around five broken windows in one night," he said.

"This sort of vandalism is one of our main concerns. We have to look at the safety of the driver and the people who are travelling."

The bus company has no immediate plans to withdraw any services and any decision would be made by the company directors.

In the latest incident a group of young vandals hurled a stone through the rear window of a Number 18 single decker bus in Hinkler Road in Thornhill.

Shards of glass cut one youth who was a passenger on the bus.

DS Bob Bowness of Bitterne CID said new police powers designed to crack down on antisocial behaviour in the area could be used if the offenders are caught.

Hinkler Road in Thornhill is one of the trial zones for so-called dispersal orders which allow officers to order under-16s causing a nuisance to leave the area.

If they return within 24 hours they could face a fine or six-month jail term.

"This is the sort of anti-social behaviour that we could consider issuing dispersal orders.

"Behaviour like this cannot be tolerated.

"We would appeal for any witnesses who saw the incident on Friday night to come forward."

If you can help, call the investigating officer PC Simon Yearsly at Bitterne Police on 0845 045 4545.