A London bus driver has been dismissed after he pursued and physically confronted a thief who stole from a passenger. Mark Hehir, who had been employed by Metroline for two years, was operating the 206 bus route between Wembley and Maida Vale in June 2024 when a man boarded the bus and snatched a necklace from a female passenger before fleeing the scene.
In an effort to assist the victim, Mr. Hehir left the bus, which was still running, to chase the thief and successfully returned the stolen necklace to the woman. However, his decision to leave the vehicle unattended led to a disciplinary hearing, where he was accused of bringing the company into disrepute. Reinstate bus driver sacked for punching thief, petition demands
Details of the Incident and Aftermath
During the confrontation, the thief allegedly threw the first punch at Mr. Hehir, prompting him to respond in self-defense, which resulted in the assailant being knocked unconscious. Mr. Hehir restrained the man on the ground for nearly half an hour until authorities arrived. Although both individuals were arrested, Mr. Hehir was released without facing any charges.
Following the incident, Mr. Hehir was suspended and summoned to an investigation. At the hearing, he faced accusations of physically assaulting a passenger and failing to ensure the safety of his passengers by leaving the bus unattended. He defended his actions by stating that he acted instinctively and had left the bus doors open with the handbrake engaged.
Reactions and Tribunal Findings
A police report supported Mr. Hehir’s actions, indicating that the force he used was appropriate under the circumstances to protect both himself and the female passenger. He expressed concern for the passenger’s safety, noting that she was frightened when the thief returned to the bus.
Alina Gioroc, the operations manager overseeing the disciplinary case, suggested that the thief may have intended to apologize upon returning to the bus. She concluded that Mr. Hehir’s use of force was excessive and disproportionate, ultimately leading to his dismissal for gross misconduct.
A tribunal in Watford upheld the decision, stating that the disciplinary managers had reasonable grounds to believe Mr. Hehir was guilty of gross misconduct. The case raises questions about the balance between employee actions in emergency situations and company policies regarding safety and conduct.
„`
Bildquelle: Frank Rietsch auf Pexels
