Cops appeal for help to identify attackers

Cops are appealing for help to identify vicious thugs wanted for violent assaults on bus drivers in Hackney.

They issued images of five men this week involved in three separate attacks

in the hope members of the public will recognise their faces and provide them with a name.

The suspects were captured on film by the buses’ own closed circuit TV cameras.

It’s part of a joint operation between the Metropolitan Police and Transport For London and its dedicated transport workplace violence unit.

The driver of a W170 bus had to be treated by an ambulance crew after three men activated the emergency rear door emergency button on the outside of the vehicle to climb aboard as it waited at the junction of Mare Street and Westgate Street, Hackney, at 7.55pm on Tuesday, April 6 2010.

They then opened the drivers’ security cab door and one of them grabbed his clothes and shoved his forearm into him, causing scratches to his chest and raised blood pressure.

Cops are keen to trace another individual who spat at the driver of a 48 bus in Mare Street at 1.29 am in Mare Street on Friday. April 21 2010, after he was told to sit down.

And they want to find another thug who punched the driver or a 73 bus in the face three times during the evening rush hour at Stoke Newington Common on Tuesday, March 30, after complaining about the bus not stopping at the previous stop.

Chief Superintendent Joe Royle, Safer Transport Command Unit said:

“People who think they can threaten and assault front line staff and get away with it are wrong. We are determined that all offenders of bus violence are brought to justice and we will leave no stone unturned in our endeavour to do so.

“However without successful identification there can be no arrests. By publishing the images in the local press there is an even stronger chance of identification through the local community to whom we are extremely grateful for any information received.

”If you assault a bus driver, Revenue Protection Inspector, or any front line staff, you will be caught and prosecuted with the aid of CCTV and any other means at our disposal.”

Anyone with information can phone anonymously to the Workplace Violence Unit on: (020) 7027 8950 or Ccrimestoppers on 0800 555 111

To see photos of other wanted men click onto the galleries above.