SECRET surveillance cameras are being used to capture yobs who bombard buses with missiles and blight journeys for passengers.

Police are shadowing First Bus services as they travel on their regular routes in and around Bolton in unmarked CCTV vans.

They will be filming anyone who attacks buses or drivers in order to get vital evidence to help prosecute offenders.

It is the latest technique to be used in the fight against anti-social behaviour on public transport.

Police have joined forces with the bus company and Bolton Council to stamp out the problem.

The marked and unmarked council surveillance vans are being driven by local staff and will carry up to three officers inside.

Secret survelliance is being carried out at certain hotspots to tackle groups of youths who are suspected of being involved in anti-social behaviour on and against buses.

Earlier this month, Police Community Support Officers boarded buses travelling in and out of the town centre to give passengers advice on keeping themselves and their property safe. It is also hoped that the high profile operation will act as a deterrent to would-be vandals and robbers.

Insp Tony Kenyon, area inspector for Bolton East, said: "We are determined to ensure that people feel safe in their communities, and that includes feeling safe on public transport which provides a vital lifeline to many members of the community.

"We are working in partnership with the community, Bolton Council and First Bus to make life difficult for people who want to indulge in anti-social behaviour against bus passengers, bus drivers and the buses themselves.

"This initiative is only one of many planned to make anti-social behaviour on public transport a thing of the past, and to bring to justice the despicable minority who insist on making life unpleasant for the majority".

Bob Mason, service delivery director for First's bus services in Greater Manchester, added: "We are developing ever closer ties with all our partners in the project and together we are determined to stamp out the sort of dangerous, anti-social activity that put customers and drivers at risk, and which can threaten our ability to deliver a safe service."