Bus driver sacked after chasing and punching thief

"A London bus driver who chased a thief and punched him unconscious has been sacked, following a tribunal. Mark Hehir, who told the hearing he was seen as a "hero" by the public, was driving the 206 bus for Metroline, which runs between Wembley and Maida Vale in north-west London, when a man stole a passenger's necklace. Hehir gave chase and retrieved the necklace, but said the man returned to the bus to confront him, and threw "the first punch"."

"At a disciplinary hearing, he was told the allegations included "bringing the company into disrepute by physically assaulting a passenger" and that he also "failed to protect his and his passengers' safety by leaving the bus unattended with engine running and chasing an assailant". Hehir told the hearing that "he had acted instinctively in running after the (man)" and that he had left the doors open and the handbrake on."

Mark Hehir, a driver on Metroline's 206 route, chased and recovered a passenger's stolen necklace after a man took it on 25 June 2024. The man returned to the bus and threw the first punch, and Hehir responded, punching the man unconscious and restraining him for almost half an hour. Both men were arrested; Hehir was released with no further police action. Metroline alleged excessive use of force and breaches including bringing the company into disrepute and leaving the bus unattended with engine running. A detective's note said Hehir's force was proportionate and necessary in defence of himself and the passenger.

Read at www.bbc.com