Croydon's buses have been described by an MP as some of the most terrifying in London.

Ealing North MP Steve Pound told the House of Commons last week that youngsters are so terrified of teenage gangs they regard sitting at the back of a bus like entering a "piranha pool".

And he named Croydon as one of the scariest places to catch a bus in the capital.

Croydon Central MP Andrew Pelling blamed the Mayor of London Ken Livingstone's free travel policy for the rise in bus crimes around the borough. Children under 16 and those under 18 in full-time education can travel free on London's public transport network.

Mr Pound, a former bus conductor, successfully secured an adjournment debate in the House of Commons last Tuesday to raise his concerns over antisocial behaviour and crime on London's buses. The MP identified main areas where young and old people fear getting on buses and Croydon was at the top of the list.

Other areas identified included Bromley, Bexley, Greenwich, Hammersmith, Fulham and Camden.

Mr Pelling said he was very grateful to Mr Pound for bringing this matter to the attention of the Government and said that more police units were needed to help people feel secure on buses in Croydon and surrounding areas.

He said: "The option of free travel has been particularly problematic to Croydon and we have had a number of serious incidents on our buses. The policy has facilitated the movement of gangs from neighbouring boroughs like Wandsworth into the town."

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