London Bus Driver Dismissed After Confronting Thief Who Robbed Passenger
A London bus driver has been dismissed from his job after he chased down and restrained a thief who stole a necklace from a female passenger, even though police later determined that his actions were lawful and proportionate. The incident occurred in June 2024 on the 206 bus route between Wembley and Maida Vale, sparking a disciplinary process that culminated in the driver's termination.
Incident Details and Driver's Response
Mark Hehir was driving the bus when a man boarded, snatched a necklace from a passenger, and fled. Acting on instinct, Hehir left the bus unattended with the engine running to pursue the suspect. He successfully recovered the necklace and returned it to the victim, who was visibly distressed by the robbery.
However, the situation escalated when the suspect returned to the bus. According to tribunal evidence, the thief threw the first punch at Hehir. In self-defence, Hehir struck the man once, knocking him unconscious. He then dragged the suspect onto the pavement and restrained him for nearly thirty minutes until police arrived at the scene.
Police Assessment and Company's Disciplinary Action
Both men were arrested following the altercation, but Hehir was released without charge. Police informed him that no further action would be taken, with a report stating that the force he used was proportionate and necessary in defence of himself and the female passenger.
Despite this clearance, Metroline, the bus company where Hehir had worked for two years, suspended him the next day. The company later dismissed him for gross misconduct, alleging that he physically assaulted a passenger and failed to ensure passenger safety by leaving the bus unattended during the chase.
Employment Tribunal Ruling and Public Debate
During the disciplinary hearing, Hehir explained that he had left the handbrake on and the doors open, acting out of concern for the frightened victim. He noted that members of the public viewed his actions as heroic. In contrast, Metroline's operations manager, Alina Gioroc, argued that the suspect had returned to apologise and shake hands, and that Hehir unnecessarily escalated the situation, with the restraint being excessive.
An employment tribunal in Watford reviewed the case and upheld Metroline's decision to dismiss Hehir. The tribunal ruled that the employer had a genuine and reasonable belief that Hehir committed gross misconduct, and that dismissal fell within the range of reasonable responses available to the company.
This ruling has reignited a broader debate about the limits of worker intervention in protecting the public. It raises critical questions about whether acts widely praised by society can still lead to dismissal under strict workplace regulations, highlighting the tension between corporate policies and moral imperatives in emergency situations.
