Appeal after bus driver attacked
DETECTIVES investigating a vicious attack on a bus driver who was punched in the face after being racially abused want to speak to this man in connection with the incident.
The driver, aged in his 40s, was assaulted by a passenger while the bus was stationary in Littleborough last month.
Now police have appealed to the public for information about the ‘unacceptable’ attack and released images of a man they want to speak to in connection with the assault.
The incident happened at around 3.30pm on Thursday, November 26, as the driver of the number 457 bus was waiting at a bus stop on Whitelees Road, Littleborough.
He had paused there to maintain the correct timetable.
But a man aboard the bus began demanding the driver move on to the next stop and verbally and racially abused the driver before punching him in the face.
The driver was left shaken by the incident but was not seriously hurt.
No arrests have yet been made.
As officers released images of a man they want to speak to in connection with the assault, Constable Millie Rothwell of GMP’s Rochdale division, said: “This is a completely unacceptable assault on a man who was simply minding his own business and doing his job.
“There were people aboard this bus when the incident occurred and we are today releasing pictures of a man who we believe can help with our enquiries.
“If you witnessed the assault, recognise this man, or have any details that can assist our enquiries, please get in touch.”
Anyone with any information about the assault is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident number 2417 of 27/11/2020 Information can also be passed on anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.