Bus travelling cops snag yobs

When aggressive revellers spilled out of The Crypt nightclub in the early hours of Saturday, wily police officers riding on a new late bus service jumped into action.

The thugs were apprehended and a couple arrested and taken into custody.

"It just so happened that the officers were there when the trouble started," said Sgt Alan Gates, who was riding on the buses on Saturday.

"They jumped off and sorted out the problem before it got out of hand. It was very lucky."

Officers will ride on late-night buses in Hastings throughout the Christmas season.

Services, costing 1, will run from Havelock Road in the town centre to Hollington in the west and Ore in the east between 12.30am and 2.30am.

The scheme has been supported by Stagecoach, the Safer Hastings Partnership, Sussex Police and Bar Watch.

For full story see tomorrow's Observer.