A motion passed by the London Assembly calls for an apology to be issued to a bus driver who was terminated after knocking out a thief. The motion also demands that the driver be reinstated or compensated.
Mark Hehir, 62, was operating a 206 bus route between Wembley and Maida Vale in June 2024 when a passenger’s necklace was stolen. After retrieving the necklace, Hehir struck the thief when he returned to the bus.
Hehir was dismissed by Metroline for gross misconduct, a ruling that was later upheld by an employment tribunal. The motion, which received unanimous support, acknowledges the significant public concern regarding this incident. Hehir expressed his excitement about the motion.
Details of the Incident and Reactions
CCTV footage presented during the tribunal showed the thief throwing a punch at Hehir. However, Metroline claimed that the thief had returned to the bus with the intention of apologizing and shaking hands.
- Both Hehir and the thief were arrested after the incident in Harlesden. Man arrested after e-biker killed in horse and cart crash
- Hehir, who asserted that he acted in self-defense, was released without facing further police action.
- The Metropolitan Police stated that Hehir’s response was „proportionate and necessary in the circumstances.“
On June 25, 2024, the day following the incident, Hehir was suspended from his duties and subsequently dismissed after an investigation.
A petition urging Metroline to reverse its decision has garnered over 135,000 signatures. The London Assembly’s motion also requests that the mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL) conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.
Support for Hehir and Future Implications
The motion further emphasizes the need for clear guidelines to ensure that transport workers who act in good faith to protect passengers are treated fairly and supported rather than penalized.
Passenger Katalin Kaszas previously remarked that Hehir made her feel safe, expressing concern that without his presence, future drivers might hesitate to intervene in similar situations for fear of losing their jobs.
On Tuesday, Justice Secretary David Lammy addressed the House of Commons, declaring that Hehir is indeed a hero and deserves public support.
Metroline’s stance during the tribunal was that Hehir’s actions constituted gross misconduct for several reasons:
- Bringing disrepute to the company by physically assaulting a passenger.
- Physically assaulting and injuring a passenger.
- Failing to ensure the safety of himself and his passengers by leaving the bus unattended with the engine running while pursuing the assailant.
Metroline previously stated that Hehir had violated protocols intended to safeguard both staff and passengers, which they prioritize. A spokesperson for TfL noted that bus drivers in London are directly employed by individual bus operating companies, which are responsible for their staff’s employment.
The mayor has been contacted for further comments.
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Bildquelle: Bildquelle: Wolfgang Weiser auf Unsplash
