A TEENAGER who destroyed a bus in an arson attack has been given an 18-month detention and training order.
The 16-year-old, who is from Leytonstone but cannot be named for legal reasons, started the devastating blaze by setting fire to a top deck seat on the 369 bus in Havelock Street, Ilford.
The fire brigade were called to the scene at around midnight on Wednesday February 17 to reports that smoke was coming out of the vehicle's upstairs windows.
The bus was not in service at the time.
Fire-fighters managed to extinguish the blaze, but the bus's roof was found to be damaged beyond repair.
An investigation found there were no faults with the vehicle's electrics or mechanics.
It was only when footage from the bus's CCTV system was examined that officers discovered what had happened.
Officers from Operation BusTag, a specialist Met Police unit that works with Transport for London (TfL) managed to identify the teen and arrested him in March.
He appeared at Redbridge Magistrates' Court on 20 April where the case was transferred to Snaresbrook Crown Court.
He pleaded guilty on 26 July and was sentenced on 23 August.
Chief Superintendent Joe Royle, of the Met's safer transport command said: "Our Operation BusTag is an effective tactic in confronting people who commit acts of bus criminal damage and anti-social behaviour, and we will continue to work with out partners to keep London moving safely.
"If you do commit an act of bus criminal damage you will be caught and prosecuted with the aid of CCTV, and any other means at our disposal."
Steve Burton, Director of Community Safety, Enforcement and Policing at TfL, said: "I am glad to see that onboard CCTV helped the Safer Transport Command identify and bring this teenager to justice.
"Criminal damage creates an intimidating atmosphere and costs bus companies millions of pounds each year. As a result we take the matter seriously and will work with the police to identify vandals and bring them to justice."
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