The driver was showered with glass when the missile smashed into his window in Somerset yesterday.

Horrified elderly tourists watched as he stopped the bus and ran to call Police. West End officers have launched an investigation into the attack.

But an angry resident has demanded action against men who gather near the Royal Naval field. He says they openly deal in drugs, harass passers-by and mix with children waiting for buses.

Police spokesman P.c. Gary Venning said the incident happened just before 4 p.m. "A bus was travelling out of Somerset on the main road, by the Royal Naval field, and someone threw a metal file with a wooden handle, which smashed the driver's window.

"The glass landed on him. He was shaken but not believed to be injured.

"The bus was full of children at the time, but none of them are believed to be injured.

"The incident is under investigation and any witnesses should call the Somerset Police station.'' A Somerset resident, who arrived at the scene soon afterwards, said he feared attacks from the "criminals'' who gathered at the field. "You can routinely see them buying and selling drugs in front of the supermarket. They don't make any effort to hide it.'' They openly drank liquor, obstructed the sidewalk and bothered women, he said.

Residents regularly had their homes broken into by addicts seeking to support their habits. "We've reached a point where something really needs to be done before someone decides to get a gun and take care of the problem.

"We have a festering cancer in that particular site. All the efforts that have been made so far have been totally ineffectual.'' P.c. Venning said: "The Royal Naval field has been a problem for some time.

People congregate there, but I don't know if that was the problem in this case.''