UNIFORMED bobbies will be swapping their police cars for public transport as part of a major operation to stamp out assaults on bus drivers in Redditch.

There has been a recent spate of attacks on First Midland Red drivers, which has left them fearing for their safety.

And passengers were also starting to fear travelling on the buses after a brick was thrown through the window of a No 58 bus near Woodrow Centre on April 1.

An operation between police and the bus company has now been launched to combat the problem and regain the confidence of townsfolk.

Insp Gareth Prosser, of Redditch police, said: "Undercover officers will be travelling on the buses and we will also have covert observations on bus routes in an effort to apprehend the offenders.

"But we will also be putting uniformed officers on the buses to reach different parts of town instead of using their police cars.

"So instead of going from the main station in Grove Street to Church Hill, for example, in a police car, they will take the bus."

Insp Prosser hopes the operation will not only stop anti-social behaviour but the sight of uniformed officers will also instill confidence in passengers.

Officers will only use the bus for non-urgent business - emergency calls will be dealt with using a police car.

Insp Prosser said: "I think this is a reasonable tactic to employ with plain-clothed and uniformed officers to catch these offenders on the buses.

"We think it's more than one gang. The attacks have happened at different times of the day and night - they have been sporadic."

First Midland Red commercial manager Austin Birks said: "We are very enthusiastic about the co-operation which has been forged between police, the company and other agencies with a view to stopping the abuse of both bus drivers and, indeed, passengers.

''We urge the public to support us in this initiative and report anybody they know is guilty of the offences against bus drivers or people operating public services.

Anyone with any information can call Redditch police on 584888 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.