Transport police are calling for the public to help crack down on vandalism of Harrow's buses.
London's bus companies are working with Transport for London (TfL) to catch yobs caught on camera breaking seats, lighting fires or scrawling graffiti on windows.
This week the Observer is publishing eight CCTV images of vandals caught red-handed defacing property in the hope our readers will recognise them and come forward with information.
Graffiti, etching, arson and other related crimes cost bus companies more than £8m a year but TfL's Operation Bus Tag is aiming stop these yobs getting away with it.
Rowena Colomb, 25, travels on the 140 bus route to Harrow regularly. She said: "It can be really intimidating travelling on buses especially if there are groups of youngsters scrawling on the windows. I often see kids etching tags on the glass. It really makes me angry but I feel like I can't say anything to them."
Since the operation was set up in November 2004 there have been more than 2,500 arrests for criminal damage on buses in the capital. This includes vandalism on the 183, 114 and 140, which are well-known for being defaced regularly.
Ross Simpson, chairman of Harrow Crime Prevention Panel, said: "This operation is long overdue but the panel fully support it.
"I have been in contact with many people who have been victims travelling on buses. Nobody should have to put up with witnessing criminal activity while carrying out their day to day business. Hopefully this operation will not only help stop vandalism but also other crimes taking place on London transport."
Chief Superintendent Joe Royle, Transport Operational Command Unit, said: "We are working together to keep London moving safely.
"These people may think they have got away with it. They are wrong. We are determined that all offenders of bus criminal damage are brought to justice and we will leave no stone unturned in our endeavour to do so.
"If you do commit an act of bus criminal damage you will be caught and prosecuted."
More than 95 per cent of arrests made as a result of Bus Tag investigations have resulted in serious consequences for the offender who can expect to receive court sentences such as heavy fines, community service or imprisonment.
If you recognise these offenders call Operation Bus Tag anonymously on 020 7027 8950 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
