Part of a popular Stagecoach route has been declared a no-go zone - after mindless vandals smashed bus windows four nights in one week.

Shocking images show the damage caused to buses that run on the Triangle route, which travels between Herne Bay, Whitstable and Canterbury.

Yobs are thought to have shot the glass with an air rifle, in the Westbrook Farm area of Herne Bay.

"Disappointed" Stagecoach bosses say it is now a no-go zone in the evenings.

An attack on Saturday was the latest of five similar incidents seen across the Westbrook Farm and Greenhill areas in recent weeks.

Each one has caused damage to the buses, but Saturday's incident left the bus with four shattered windows.

It is understood one passenger as travelling on board the top deck of the bus at the time, but no injuries were reported.

Krystian Kaczala, Operations Manager for Stagecoach at Herne Bay said: "It's shocking that anyone would do this. Our Herne Bay team have worked so hard throughout this pandemic to keep services clean, safe and ready to go, so to have something like this happen is deeply disappointing."

He added that Stagecoach has reluctantly made the decision to stop serving Westbrook Farm after 6pm in the evenings.

"Given the number of incidents and the serious nature of the attacks, we've had to suspend the service in the evenings," he said. "The safety of our passengers as well as our driving colleagues is our number one priority. We're working closely with the Police who are taking these incidents extremely seriously."

While buses will continue to serve Westbrook Farm at all other times, from 6pm onwards they will run a diversion between Greenhill and Tankerton along the Old Thanet Way.

Joel Mitchell, managing director of Stagecoach South East, took to Twitter to write: "It’s so upsetting and frustrating. We’re here to serve, but a small minority ruin it for us and their wider community."

Police are investigating the incidents.

A spokesman for the force said police were contacted on three occasions between November 11 and 14, over reports bus windows had been damaged.

The first incident happened in Sea Street at about10pm on November 11.

The second incident took place in Greenhill Road, near the junction with Hawks Road, shortly after 6pm on Friday (November 13).

The third incident happened in Whitstable Road, near Westbrook Lane, at 10.55pm on Saturday (November 14).

Officers are carrying out enquiries in the area and urge anyone with information to come forward.

Witnesses should contact the police on 01843 222289, quoting reference 46/204610/20.

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or using the anonymous online form.

Read more: All the latest news from Herne Bay