POLICE are going undercover to tackle youth crime on the buses.

Youngsters travelling to Brighton's Whitehawk estate have spat at drivers, while others have hurled stones and smashed bus windows.

But many Brighton and Hove bus drivers fear reprisals if they give statements to the police.

Now officers aim to stamp out the problem after talks with bus drivers and Brighton and Hove Council.

PC Peter Cimowiec said officers in plain clothes had been travelling on buses to find the offending nuisance youths.

PC Cimowiec said: "Some drivers have been spat at by a couple of 12-year-olds and windows have been smashed.

"But bus drivers don't want to give statements, so the problem is that we can take no official action yet."

He said: "The problem of youths is an ongoing one around the estate and we need to work out a way to quash and get rid of the problem.

"We are trying to work with the bus company to try and work out a way we can help each other out."

PC Cimowiec said the trouble was being caused by a minority of teenagers and vowed action would be taken.

Bus drivers with troublesome youths aboard have been advised to tell police immediately.

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