YOBS armed with BB guns fired four times at a bus.

The single-deck First Essex bus was travelling along Southend Road, Billericay, when the thugs took shots from the roadside.

Some ball bearings shattered a window and others went through the windscreen. The driver managed to keep control and stop the bus safely.

A total of £1,500 of damage was caused.

Billericay Inspector Sue Heaton said it was only down to luck the driver and all the passengers escaped injury.

She said: “This was an extremely dangerous situation.

“Luckily, no one was injured, but it could have gone the other way had the bus driver not remained professional.

“We will not tolerate use of BB guns and will crack down on anyone we find to be responsible for throwing objects at moving vehicles.

“If you know who did this, please call us immediately.”

Following the incident police also issued a warning to parents not to let their children use BB guns in public.

Nishan Wijeratne, spokes-man for Essex Police, said: “Parents should remember it is illegal to use a BB gun in public places and they should consider that responsible ownership comes with owning one.

“Parents are reminded not to allow their children to use such weapons in gardens as concerned residents will contact police in the belief children are in possession of a real firearms.

“This will trigger a police firearms team deployment and could result in officers with real firearms challenging youngsters.”