Ready, aim, fire... a youth picks up and throws a stone just as our photographer arrives.
ANGRY bus passengers have been caught in the crossfire of stone-throwing yobs in an Inverness housing estate.
Pupils believed to be from Culloden Academy were seen throwing rocks "the size of tennis balls" at other youngsters taking cover at the bus shelter in Hazel Avenue last Wednesday and Thursday.
And a Highland News photographer snapped the youths in action for a third time the following day.
Angry nearby residents contacted the HN over fears someone could get hurt or a serious road accident could be caused by the actions of the youngsters.
And there were also complaints about how the situation was handled by police.
One of the passengers who witnessed the clash was local resident Marion Hamilton (63) of Hazel Avenue.
She said: "When I got off the bus on Thursday last week there were boys at one side of the road throwing stones at another two crouching underneath the bus shelter.
"I asked them stop or I would call the police and they replied 'It's just a fight' and carried on as if I had never said a thing."
She added: "At the time the road was not too busy, but I am fearful it could end up hitting a car and cause an accident.
"I was also worried about the safety of the of the other children. These were not just pebbles, they were big stones about the size of tennis balls.
"We've never had trouble like this before. I assume they must be first-year pupils."
Mrs Hamilton also claimed that her friend called the police, but the officers didn't even approach the youngsters to speak to them.
She said: "The police came down and didn't even get out of their van. All five of the boys were still there and the officers just drove past. All they needed to do was get out and give them a warning to put a bit of fear into them, but they never did a thing."
"My friend phoned them back that night and complained, but she was told they had more important things to deal with.
Mrs Hamilton added: "I think the attitude of the police was ridiculous. We are trying to help them and they're not helping us – are we just going to allow the kids to do what they like?
"What happened to the police who used to walk the beat?"
Jean Maclennan (82) said she called the police later that night to complain about the inaction of the officers.
She said: "I am so angry the policet stop and tell them off. I want them to nip this in the bud before something serious happens.
"I am sure the boys were not targeting us, but it was too close for comfort.
"Kids are kids, but there are plenty of fields they can throw stones, not by public roads."
A spokesman for Northern Constabulary said: "An incident was reported on September 27 of boys throwing stones at a bus shelter. Police attended but there was no sign of any youngsters on arrival."
Bob Hall, Stagecoach Bluebird operations director, said as yet the company had not received any reports of problems due to stone throwing in the Culloden area.
However, he insisted: "Passenger and staff safety is of paramount importance to the company, and vehicle damage causes unnecessary delays to our services. We will therefore be monitoring services in this area to ensure this does not become a problem."
Culloden Academy head teacher Stephen Dowds said: "Our school has a very good record of responding to any question of our pupils not being good neighbours to others in our community, a community which is very supportive of all we do at the school.
"Indeed, the whole school assembly programme for the last week of October is already based on community safety and has input from our community police staff and one of our community councils.
"Some youngsters may need a little more persuasion than others, but the vast majority of our 1,057 pupils are superb young people, and we are more than ready to do our bit for good citizenship where we can be directed to any who cause concerns. Parents' role at home can have the most direct and supportive impact too, where any bad behaviour in the community is brought to their attention. We are more than happy to do that as well."
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