CCTV shows moment stolen bus taken on Portsmouth joyride smashes into barrier

• WATCH: Xelabus, based in Eastleigh, told ITV Meridian's Grace Williams it'll cost thousands to repair.

A £300,000 bus, stolen from Portsmouth, has been left severely damaged after being taken on a dangerous six mile joyride.

CCTV shows the vehicle being driven from Lakeside Business Park to Waterlooville, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.

Within minutes of it being stolen on the evening of Bank Holiday Monday, it clipped a barrier, narrowly avoiding another bus.

After a six miles journey, the vehicle was then dumped.

The person suspected of being behind the wheel, can be seen casually walking away, leaving its doors open and window smashed.

Owner and managing director of Xelabus, Gareth Blair, said most of the profits made over the weekend will now have to be spent on repairs.

"These buses aren't cheap. They're about £300,000 each."

"We work hard as a small independent company to achieve vehicles of this stature and to see the state of the bus when it came back was heartbreaking."

The bus had been in service over the weekend taking festival-goers to and from Victorious.

The repair costs are estimated to be around £5,000.

"I would just like them to understand the consequences of their actions."

"At the end of the day, the bus can be repaired. However, he could have seriously harmed or killed someone. He should take stock and account for what he's done."

The independent bus company, based in Eastleigh, said it's been devastated by the damage done, but it's now turning its attention to the repairs that are needed.

It wants to make sure the bus is back in service for when students return to school next week.

Hampshire Police are investigating and want anyone with information to contact them.

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