POLICE officers are to travel aboard buses to protect a vital service targeted by vandals.

Last month, Compass Royston said it had no other option but to withdraw the evening 505/555 service after a series of incidents left drivers feeling threatened and highly vulnerable.

In one incident a driver suffered cuts when a brick was thrown through the window of a bus travelling through West View, towards the Headland, Hartlepool.

In another, a passenger was slightly injured after a driver had to brake heavily when youths deliberately jumped in front of a bus in Northgate on the Headland.

The popular service - which runs between the Headland, Hart Station and the University Hospital of Hartlepool - is to resume again on Monday.

Police say they will monitor the service closely and that officers will even travel on some of the buses.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: "Acts of vandalism and anti-social behaviour such as those experienced on this route will not be tolerated.

"We are determined to help get this service back on the road and officers will be travelling on some buses to prevent a repeat of previous incidents."

The service is supported by Hartlepool Borough Council with money awarded through the Government's Urban Bus Challenge.

The decision to resume journeys follows a meeting of representatives from the council, Cleveland Police, Headland Town Council and Compass Royston.

Jayne Brown, the council's public transport services team leader, said: "The meeting was very constructive and all parties agreed it was important this service, which provides an important link to the University Hospital of Hartlepool, should resume as soon as possible.

"Everyone was very co-operative and it was a good example of partnership working at its best to benefit local people. We would however, continue to urge members of the public with information about any acts of vandalism or anti-social behaviour to contact the police.