Anti-social behaviour among teenagers travelling on buses into and out of Tenby has led to them being banned from the service. As reported by the Observer, police officers had been forced to ride on the 10.15 pm Tenby to Kilgetty via Saundersfoot bus on Friday nights after complaints about unruly youths travelling home after a night out in the town. Staff from Silcox Coaches who operate the service have received verbal abuse from passengers, and in one case, the roof of a new super low floor bus was damaged. Now, the coach operators Silcox, backed by the police, have introduced a ban which will take effect from tonight (Friday). "Anybody under the age of 18 will not be allowed to travel between Tenby and Kilgetty after 6 pm unless accompanied by a responsible adult," said the company's managing director, Keith Silcox, this week. "After 6 pm on Friday evenings, only adult single tickets will be issued between Tenby and Kilgetty. OAP concessionary passes will also be accepted," Mr. Silcox continued. "We reserve the right to refuse to carry anybody in possession of alcohol, anybody under the influence of alcohol, and anyone whose behaviour is deemed by a member of staff to be unacceptable." Mr. Silcox apologised for any inconvenience the ban causes. "We have a duty of care to all our passengers, who are entitled to travel without intimidation," he said. And Mr. Silcox added that if these measures do not rectify the problems, the company will seriously consider withdrawing this service after 10 pm. When contacted by the Observer, a police spokesman said: "We have issued warnings to the teenagers about their unacceptable behaviour, but they have not been heeded. "The coach company does not want to stop the service altogether because that would spoil other people's enjoyment, but that is the next step in tackling these problems." Police officers have informed the youngsters about the ban via tannoy in school this week. Added the police spokesman: "If anybody under the age of 18 does try to get on the bus service unaccompanied after 6 pm, the driver will telephone us and the youngsters concerned may risk arrest if necessary."
