BUS chiefs are to step up security measures following a vicious late night attack on a driver in Chorley.

The 48-year-old man was punched in the face when two youths got on the Stagecoach Ribble bus through its fire exit doors.

They made off with more than £77, leaving the driver, who lives in Bamber Bridge, shocked and bruised and off work for a couple of days.

The incident happened in Great Greens Lane, Clayton Brook, at about 11.10pm last Tuesday.

Now it has prompted management to review security arrangements in a bid to keep both staff and passengers safer.

John Young, operations manager for Stagecoach Ribble in Chorley, has himself met local police to talk about the situation.

He declined to give exact details, but said: "We are looking at a number of measures. I have sat down to discuss with police some of the things we can put into practice. We are working actively with the police to try and identify problem areas and see what we can do to ensure the safety of drivers and ensure things like this don't happen again. It is up to us to ensure the safety of staff and customers."

Mr Young tried to ease staff and passengers' minds by explaining that attacks such as this one are uncommon.

"This incident at Clayton Brook is an isolated incident. We need to keep it in proportion. It is not as if we are getting problems night after night after night, he said."

Anyone with information about the attack can ring either Chorley Police on (01257) 269021 or Mr Young at the Stagecoach Ribble depot at Chorley on (01257 267728.

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