A Southgate bus route deemed so dangerous by drivers they are scared to go to work is to be patrolled by plain clothes police officers.

Seven terrified drivers have called police after windows were smashed with rocks while driving the 299 Muswell Hill to Cockfosters route.

"Fortunately, I have not been hurt," said driver William Spring. "But other bus drivers are not willing to risk injury for the sake of a bus route."

Police believe the violence is being committed by a gang of yobs who regularly vandalise buses, abuse drivers, and steal cash on the troubled route.

Mr Spring, of Tottenham, said: "I was driving my bus along Avenue Road, when suddenly the windows caved in the result of rocks being thrown from outside the bus.

"On the same night, a brick was thrown through the windows of another bus, narrowly missing a woman passenger. On Wednesday, I came to the bus station and another driver had had his bus smashed up.

"Much as my colleagues and I are committed to the future of public transport in London, it does not extend to being blinded in the course of duty."

Inspector John Antoine, of Southgate Community Safety unit, said: "A gang of youths are standing in and around the Avenue Road area in Southgate throwing stones and rocks at the buses and causing distress to the drivers. Our response will be a combination of plain clothes officers on the buses and high-visibility patrols on the streets to reassure the drivers we do take it seriously and those people who have committed these offences will be caught."

The 299 route has seen a number of violent crimes in recent months. In November, a woman driver narrowly missed serious injury when a lit firework was thrown into her cab at Southgate bus station. On Friday, a 34-year-old man was struck in the face by a youth as he stepped off a bus in Avenue Road at about 9.45pm.

"Southgate bus station is a scene of perpetual anarchy, with frequent fights between young people," said Mr Spring. "Knives appear, and cars are randomly attacked in broad daylight. Gangs are making life a misery for everyone."

MP for Enfield Southgate Stephen Twigg has called on First buses to install CCTV on the problem route. "I think all routes should be thinking about installing CCTV, and with the 299 having this record of violence, it should be a priority.

"Southgate bus station is very busy and a lot of people feel scared to go there because they fear there is going to be some sort of violence."

A spokeswoman for First buses said yesterday: "Police are attending every incident and a special team was sent out last night to see what was happening on the route."