BUS bosses could declare parts of York no-go areas if vehicles continue to be attacked.

First operations manager Paul Bell has declared the company can not tolerate any further assaults on its fleet.

He spoke to the Evening Press after a shotgun was fired through the windscreen of a city bus, on Saturday evening.

Mr Bell said: "We will have to have no-go areas. We can't just continue taking this sort of damage.

"It is costing us thousands and there is the risk to our staff and our customers.

"This is the worst I have known this situation. It is extremely serious. It is a bit sinister."

Police are continuing to investigate the shotgun attack, which marked a dramatic turn in potentially lethal incidents that have been happening across the city.

The attack brought traffic to a standstill after the windscreen, upstairs window and glass cover of the bus's destination panel were shattered at 10.50pm at the junction of Huntington Road with Highthorn Road.

Every night last week, services were targeted - with brick attacks almost a daily occurrence.

Mr Bell has confirmed that evening services in York will not be immediately suspended in the wake of the attack.

But any further incidents could see a change in attitude at First's James Street headquarters.

Mr Bell is now urging police chiefs to get on board for a concerted effort to beat the vandals.

"We have a meeting organised with the council and police on Thursday," Mr Bell said.

"We will try to put together some sort of plan to tackle this. There needs to be a concerted effort.

"We don't want to be seen to be forced off the road but any further incidents will be assessed by the company."

Meanwhile, Inspector Gary Marchant, of York police, said forensic experts are now examining the shattered windscreen in an effort to find clues.

"We are working very closely with First," he said.

"This is a very serious matter, someone could have been killed or seriously injured."

Anyone with information about the attack should contact York police on 01904 631321.

Updated: 08:56 Tuesday, March 19, 2002