Police update on shirtless boys in balaclavas who caused thousands of pounds worth of damage when they smashed windows of several buses and depot in Hilsea

Police were forced into a desperate street chase after the vandals in broad daylight around 2pm on Monday.

Eyewitnesses saw officers chasing three children wearing masks before making six arrests in Port Solent.

They found and detained a 14-year-old boy on suspicion of criminal damage to both buses and the depot. He was bailed to appear back at the police station on August 22 as they continue their probe.

Five others were arrested but not taken into custody before officers took them home to their parents. Hampshire Constabulary said they remain under suspicion with plans to interview them at a later date.

A statement from police on Monday said: ‘This might seem minor, however the damage that has been caused is reaching into the thousands of pounds and is having a significant impact on the bus company’s ability to operate a full service.

‘So much glass has been smashed that the company is now struggling to source replacements.

‘Officers have been working hard to identify offenders, investigate offences and to try and prevent this happening.

‘We have worked closely with the bus company and local residents to try and resolve this but it has unfortunately resulted in a young person being arrested.’

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Eyewitness David Morgan, who works at south coast wake park, told The News: ‘I saw a group of shirtless boys in balaclavas run past us.

‘Three of them were being chased by the police, and I know one of them was caught.’