TERRIFIED children were targeted by teenagers who used catapults to damage vehicles from a motorway bridge.

The front windscreen of a lorry was damaged on June 5 on the M4 east of Chieveley Services after objects were hurled from the footbridge leading to Oareborough Lane in Hermitage.

Police received a spate of reports of vehicles, including a coach carrying schoolchildren, being damaged by the attack.

Further calls were lodged on Thursday (June 7) when a trio of teenagers returned to the area and continued to recklessly catapult items at vehicles.

Two 16-year-old boys and a 15-year-old boy, all from Thatcham, have been arrested on suspicion of damaging or destroying property with intent to endanger life and obstructing or resisting a constable in the execution of duty.

They have all been released on conditional bail until July 2.

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: "In the incident on Tuesday, two offenders were seen on the overbridge. The front windscreen of a lorry was damaged.

"On Thursday, three offenders were seen at the same location.

"There were reports of several vehicles, including lorries, vans and a coach carrying schoolchildren being damaged with windows and side panels being smashed."

The offenders are all described as white teenagers and investigating officers appealed for motorists with dash-cam footage to come forward.

Detective constable Tara Hamilton of the Investigation Hub, based at Newbury Police Station, said: "These acts are clearly extremely reckless and it is only good fortune that nobody has been seriously injured.

"Traffic on the motorway at that time would have still been quite heavy and throwing or catapulting items at vehicles is extremely dangerous and puts people's lives in danger.

"I am appealing for anybody who may have witnessed the incident, or seen people on the overbridge near to Chieveley Services, to contact 101 with information.

"I am also appealing to anybody who may have dash-cam footage available to make contact with us."

If you have any information relating to this case, please call 101 quoting reference '43180172627', or contact Crimestoppers anonymously.