By BRIDGET COOK
CASEY’S bus operator has spoken out about the lack of respect towards public servants following the unprovoked attack on a bus driver in Hampton Park on Sunday night.
The Transit Crime Investigation Unit (CIU) is investigating the incident which occurred about 7.25pm on Sunday at the bus stop on Somerville Road, opposite the Hampton Park Shopping Centre.
Police have been told that a young man, who was accompanied by another five to six youths, tried to board the bus without paying.
Transit CIU Detective Senior Constable Lisa Bos said there was then a verbal altercation between the driver and young man.
“At this point, the male, who we believe is about 15 to 16-years-old, hit the bus driver over the head,” she said.
“The bus driver attempted to get out of his seat and the assault continued.
“During the course of the assault, the driver’s mobile phone was stolen by one of the other youths not involved in the assault.”
Another occupant on the bus came to the aid of the driver by trying to pull the attacker away.
The group of teens managed to escape by running off east along Somerville Road towards Hallam Road.
An ambulance attended and treated the bus driver who suffered from bruising and lacerations to his head and hand and a chipped tooth.
Cranbourne Transit, which operates the bus service in Casey, said this was just one of many unprovoked attacks across the network.
“Cranbourne Transit has noticed an increase in serious assaults against our drivers over the last few years, the latest of which occurred in Hampton Park on Sunday night,” general manager David Ratner said.
“These events are not isolated to ourselves as the number of incidents has been increasing across the network.
“While the industry is working closely to address the issue and find workable solutions, it is very clear that the levels of respect towards, not just drivers but other public servants, is not at a level it should be.”
Sen Const Bos urged anyone with information about the attack to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
“Anyone with information about a group of youths hanging around the shops or bus stop in that area should call police,” she said.
“There are also a number of fast food outlets nearby and someone may have seen a group handing around in those.
“It’s a shocking attack and sad that someone who is just going about their business, just trying to do their job, is assaulted in this manner.”
The youth involved in the assault was described as Caucasian, aged about 15 to 16 years old, between 5’8″ and 5’10″ tall, with dark ear-length hair and wearing a beanie.
Police hope to have photos of those involved in the attack in the next couple of days from the bus’s camera.
Visit cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au, where the images will be uploaded as soon as they are released by police.
