A councillor today demanded closed-circuit television on all buses to protect drivers and passengers following a series of terrifying knife-point robberies.

Oxford city councillor Tony Stockford, who represents Blackbird Leys, made the plea after a spate of violent attacks on buses over the past few days.

In one incident on Saturday, in Field Avenue, Blackbird Leys, the driver of a Number One service bus was robbed by a man holding a 10in knife. In another, a bus had to be evacuated when someone set off a CS gas canister. The series of attacks on Stagecoach buses has prompted managers to threaten to withdraw services.

Cllr Stockford said: "Cancelling services would be a terrible outcome. I think we have the best bus service in the whole country and these incidents are placing it in jeopardy.

"If anyone knows the identity of the robbers, they should call the police.

"I am a firm believer in CCTV as a crime-prevention tool. They work on the streets and now there would appear to be a place for them on the buses." On Monday, another man with a knife tried to rob a bus outside The Original Swan pub in Oxford Road, Cowley, but his attempt was foiled when the driver accelerated and then braked suddenly, sending the attacker crashing to the pavement.

Stagecoach Oxford is now considering a number of measures to improve security on their buses including CCTV.

Managing director Inglis Lyon said: "We are considering all possible options to try to improve security for both our drivers and passengers. "We carry 14 million passengers a year and travelling on buses is still one of the safest ways to travel. However, following these alarming incidents we are now reviewing our safety procedures."

In one of the incidents in Crowberry Road, Blackbird Leys, on Sunday, a Stagecoach bus driver was robbed by four men.

The same night, another Stagecoach driver was robbed at the Banbury Road roundabout in north Oxford.

Anyone with any information should telephone Oxford police on 01865 266333 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Story date: Wednesday 20 October

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