16 November 2007
Transport and Technical Services (TTS) in conjunction with Connex, the Department for Education, Sport and Leisure and the Police are working together to identify the children responsible for a spate of vandalism on school buses and rowdy behaviour at Liberation Station.
There were five separate incidents of vandalism and rowdy behaviour on school buses last week, resulting in damage and requiring both costly repairs and extensive cleaning exercises. There was also an incident of rowdy and unacceptable behaviour from a few children at Liberation Station last Thursday afternoon, which caused offence and upset other travellers.
“I want to warn these irresponsible children and their parents that I will be taking a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviour within the public transport system. I also want to reassure our many regular travellers that action will be taken against the perpetrators, either by Transport and Technical Services, Connex, the Education Department or the Police.” said Deputy Guy de Faye, Minister for Transport and Technical Services.
The Deputy added, “I hope that by working together with the schools and the Police and by taking speedy action, these unpleasant incidents will be nipped in the bud. The alternative is that individuals will be banned from bus travel and, in extreme cases, services will be withdrawn – which will impact on the trouble maker’s student colleagues. In that light, I would hope that the more sensible children will intervene before things get out of hand again.”
There is a Code of Practice for the use of school buses and it clearly states that dangerous or unruly behaviour will not be tolerated and any student may be excluded from school buses without notice.
The Minister for Education, Sport and Culture reacted swiftly having been informed of the issues. All secondary school headteachers were asked to highlight the issue of vandalism and poor behaviour with all their pupils this week. Pupils were reminded about being responsible citizens and what this entails.
Deputy de Faye's warnings about consequences were also clearly spelt out. Education, Sport and Culture will continue to work in partnership with Connex and TTS to ensure further incidents are avoided.
The bad behaviour occurred on School Route 334 from Grainville (on two separate days), Route 998 (serving Victoria College JCG, Hautlieu, De La Salle and Beaulieu), and Routes 441 and 450 from Les Quennevais.
The Police would like to hear from anyone who knows anything about these incidents, please call on 612612 or information can be given anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
gov.je