Bus driver hit by snowball-throwing thugs in Ashford
A
bus driver was left with a swollen and bruised face after being hit
in the face with a snowball.
Police are now warning youngsters not to throw snowballs at
people after the attack at the bus stop outside William Hill
Bookmakers in Stanhope Road, Ashford at around 3.10 pm
yesterday.
As the driver was letting on passengers at the bus stop a snowball
hit him on the face.
The driver was treated at the scene for minor injuries after being
hit in the face as he let on passengers.
Sgt Mark Hedges from Ashford Neighbourhood Policing Team said:
"Snowball throwing stops being harmless fun and starts being
anti-social behaviour when it leads to injury or discomfort to
people, or damage to property, and will not be tolerated.
"We’ve received numerous calls about youngsters causing a nuisance
with the snow by throwing it at people’s property and in some cases
people and pets which can leave residents feeling intimidated or
frightened.
"Enjoy the snow but do so safely and avoid causing a nuisance to
other people."
It comes after a spate of incidents in recent days.
In the most shocking
case, snowballs were thrown at moving vehicles on
the M20, between junctions 9 and 10, at about 1pm on
Sunday.
Officers warned a group of youths
throwing snowballs at a man they did not know in King Street,
Maidstone, on Friday evening.
And, in
Margate, two boys were made to clean snow and eggs from the window
of a shop they had pelted them at on Saturday afternoon.
In Medway, a 55-year-old man was attacked by up to eight
teenagers who he told to stop throwing snowballs at his house.
Police and the victim's family have appealed for witnesses to
the beating in Knights Road, Hoo, at 8.45pm yesterday.
The man confronted an eight-strong group of people, believed to
be aged 17 to 18, and grabbed one by the arm.
A police spokesman said: "He was then reportedly punched in the
face and kicked repeatedly in the head when on the floor.
"He was also struck by an object on the back of the head and was
left with injuries to his eye and cheek."
The man did not need to be taken to hospital, police said.
Anyone with information should call DC David Evans on 101,
quoting reference XY/2334/13.
To stay anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Anyone with information about the assault on the bus driver is
asked to contact Sgt Mark Hedges on 101 quoting crime reference
ZY/2052/13.
22/01/13
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