Hunt for thugs who boarded bus in Hackney

Police are hunting a group of yobs who assaulted a passenger and robbed others after boarding a bus in Hackney.

The gang of four teenagers aged between 15 and 19 headed to the top deck of the 149 bus, which travels between Edmonton Green and London Bridge, and went up to other boys on the bus and forced them to hand over their mobile phones and cash.

Police said that one of the victims was intimidated by a thug wielding a glass bottle and then punched in the face in an unprovoked attack during the incident on Saturday April 23.

Detectives believe the youths got on the bus somewhere along its route in Hackney, where it stops at Stamford Hill, Dalston and Shoreditch.

City of London police who are investigating said the suspects and a fifth man got off the bus in Threadneedle Street in the City centre.

Images of the group were caught by the CCTV cameras on board the bus and police are eager to hear from anyone who might recognise the suspects.

Detective Sergeant Mark Simmons said: “This was a brazen and very frightening crime, committed in daylight hours on a busy bus. With no fear of reprisal these youths showed total disregard for the law, threatening and intimidating innocent passengers. We know the public can help us to identify these men and together we can ensure these criminals are brought to justice.”

Anyone with information is asked to call City of London Police on 020 7601 2916 or phone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.