Unite calls for police and employers to ensure culprits prosecuted to fullest extent of law
Bus drivers in town and cities across the country are braced for a wave of firework attacks during Halloween and Bonfire Night, Unite, the UK’s leading union, warned today.
Incidences of fireworks being thrown at and into buses rocket during Halloween on 31 October and Guy Fawkes Night on 5 November.
Petrol bombs being thrown and bonfires blocking roads have also occurred in the past, with buses often targeted for anti-social behaviour during the period fireworks are widely available.
Unite is demanding:
- All police forces take firework incidents involving buses seriously and that perpetrators are prosecuted.
- Bus companies ensure that staff can fully report firework incidents and affected workers are given proper support if incidents occur.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Bus drivers in nearly every town and city across the country dread Halloween and Bonfire Night. They already face incredibly high rates of abuse and assault. But this period brings additional stress as dangerous incidents of explosive fireworks being thrown at and onto buses filled with passengers regularly occur.
“The police and employers must do everything in their power to keep bus workers and passengers safe and ensure those carrying out such attacks are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
