VOLUNTEERS are offering to provide security on buses around Canvey after a series of rock and missile attacks.

Canvey Patrol Group, who can regularly be seen patrolling the island to disband large groups and prevent anti-social behaviour, have offered their support after a spate of incidents.

First Bus vehicles have been subject to at least 12 attacks since Christmas in Benfleet and Canvey, with thousands of pounds of damage caused to buses.

Earlier this month, multiple routes were temporarily diverted due to the ongoing issue, and the bus company issued a plea to residents “to take some ownership with the matter”.

The group state they will happily have volunteers on the buses as they travel around Canvey and Benfleet, insisting if they see any yobs throwing rocks or causing other issues, they will make a citizens arrest.

First admitted no official agreement is in place, but it welcomes the support and hope a scheme can be put in place.

Dan Worley, operations manager at First Hadleigh, said: “We are really pleased with the support we are receiving from the police and other members of the community in trying to tackle the problems of vandalism on our buses in the vicinity of Canvey, Pitsea and Saddlers Farm roundabout.

“Together we are hopeful that we can eradicate the problem and get services back to normal as soon as possible.

“To help us further, we have been approached by a local neighbourhood watch group called ‘Street Safe’ who have offered their services to ride on buses in the areas where we have experienced problems, to help us and the police, identity the people involved in the reported criminal activity”.

The company first stated the option of axing the routes was on the table at the end of November, when three buses had windows smashed on Canvey.

Earlier this month, the company temporarily diverted all route 21s via London Road, missing Manor Trading Estate after 6.30pm, and services 22 and 28 will also be diverted to miss London Road between Pitsea and Sadlers Farm after 6.30pm.

Canvey Patrol Group launched in November last year with a team keeping tabs on the island roughly three times a week.

Organisers met with First at the start of this week stating they want to be “a deterrent to stop buses getting smashed “ and that they will not hesitate in making citizen’s arrests.