Pupils watched by CCTV

The cameras will be installed in school buses

Security cameras are being installed on school buses in Leicestershire following a number of serious incidents.

Last year two 11-year-old boys fell through a top floor window of a double decker bus in Thringstone, breaking the collarbone of one of the pupils.

Minders are also being introduced on a small number of routes to reduce bad behaviour.

County Public Transport Co-ordinator James Holden says he is confident the cameras will make a difference.

He said: "Youngsters do misbehave on buses to school and they make other people's lives a misery."

Pot Noodles

A video recorder will be installed behind the driver's seat so it will not be easily vandalised, with two cameras on the top deck and one on the bottom deck.

"Most of the problems with smoking, vandalism and horseplay occur on the top deck, so that is why the two cameras are fitted up there," said Paul Ausden Clarke of Ausden Clarke Coaches in Loughborough.

All 10 major bus operators in Leicestershire will be installing the cameras on their buses.

People are smoking, fighting and messing about

Jessica, bus passenger

The drivers will watch the video at the end of the run in the depot to see what happened during the journey.

Jessica, a pupil who uses the bus route in Charnwood, says it is a good idea.

"Once I had a Pot Noodle thrown at me, " she said, adding that children often throw things on the bus.

"People are smoking, fighting and messing about," she said.

"I am sure it will make a difference, as people would know they would get told off."

If students are spotted on the tape misbehaving, the video can be sent to the school for viewing by the teachers and parents.

If the incident is serious, the tape will be sent to police to see if further action is needed.