IT was not so much an attack as an ambush.

The yobs had already thrown missiles at an earlier bus on the Strensall route, smashing a window. They then reconvened on the village green for a second, more intense sortie.

They hurled beer bottles at the bus, terrifying the passengers and driver. One woman can thank the vehicle's robust design for saving her from serious injury - if it weren't for the double glazing the glass would have shattered in her face.

When the driver emerged to inspect the damage, the gang threw more missiles at him. As these youths ran riot, we are again left to ask: where were their parents?

First immediately cancelled the service, and were right to do so. Its primary responsibility is the safety of both passengers and drivers. Unhappily, though, that penalises the law-abiding people who rely on the bus service. It was the same story when youths targeted buses in Chapelfields, York.

We are pleased to see that the police have made some arrests.

The Strensall situation would merit the introduction of a temporary dispersal order, had a legal ruling not blunted its powers.

Instead, if there are repeats of this violence, the police must consider a more active role in protecting York's buses and their passengers. In the past, local train companies have run special services carrying a team of officers along routes hit by vandalism. The stone-throwing yobs got the shock of their lives when the train they were pelting shuddered to a halt and disgorged a dozen police officers to bring them to justice.

A similar exercise on the buses would give the yobs something to think about - and passengers something to cheer.

Updated: 10:24 Thursday, February 16, 2006