London bus driver stabbed in Southall

A London bus driver has been stabbed in Southall, west London, in what has been described as the second serious attack on a London bus driver in 10 days.

The incident is understood to have happened at around 06:00 on Friday 29 May.

According to Unite the Union, the driver was waiting at a bus stop for a changeover to take over driving a bus when he was stabbed.

The attack comes just over a week after 64-year-old bus driver Sergei Krajev died following an assault on Battersea Bridge.

The union has called for urgent action from Transport for London, the Mayor of London and private bus operators to improve safety for bus drivers.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is another shocking attack on a bus driver. No one should go to work fearing they will be attacked.”

She added that TfL, the Mayor and private bus operators should work with the union to develop “concrete solutions” to better protect London bus drivers.

Calls for new safety guidance

The attack has renewed concerns about safety guidance given to bus drivers.

Current advice for drivers to remain in their cab at all times has been criticised by the union, which says the guidance needs to be urgently reviewed.

In both recent serious attacks, Unite said it would not have been possible for the drivers to have remained in their cabs.

The union is also calling for training currently provided to London Underground workers on how to defuse potentially violent situations to be extended to all London bus drivers.

Unite regional officer Nadine Edwards said: “The current advice to drivers to always remain in their cabs is both flawed and impractical.

“We urgently need fresh guidance and full training for drivers to ensure that they do not put themselves in danger.”

London Bus Forums contacted the Metropolitan Police, Transport for London and Unite. The Met has since issued the following statement.

Earlier updates:

Update, 13:55: Unite told London Bus Forums that Transport UK is the operator involved.

Update, 23:55: A driver source told London Bus Forums that the driver was stabbed in the arm.

Update, 23:40: London Bus Forums understands the incident may have involved a route 482 driver from Southall Bus Garage, which is operated by Transport UK.

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