London Bus Driver Dismissed After Confronting Necklace Thief
A London bus driver has been sacked following an incident where he chased and punched a man who stole a passenger's necklace, with an employment tribunal ruling the dismissal as fair. The case, which unfolded in northwest London, highlights the complex balance between employee actions and company safety protocols.
Incident Details and Tribunal Findings
Mark Hehir was operating the 206 bus on 25 June 2024 when a man boarded and snatched a necklace from a female passenger's neck. In response, Mr Hehir left the bus to pursue the thief, successfully retrieving the jewellery. However, the situation escalated when the man returned to the vehicle and threw the first punch at Mr Hehir, who defended himself with a single blow that rendered the thief unconscious.
Mr Hehir then dragged the man to the pavement and restrained him for nearly thirty minutes. Although police arrested both individuals, Mr Hehir was later released without further action. Despite this, Metroline, his employer, suspended him the next day and initiated disciplinary proceedings.
Disciplinary Allegations and Defence
The allegations against Mr Hehir included bringing the company into disrepute by physically assaulting a passenger and failing to protect passengers by leaving the bus unattended with the engine running. At the hearing, Mr Hehir argued that he acted instinctively, leaving the bus doors open and the handbrake on, and restrained the thief out of fear for the female passenger's safety.
He stated that public perception viewed him as a hero, and a police email supported his actions, noting that the force used was proportionate and necessary for self-defence and protecting the passenger.
Company Perspective and Tribunal Decision
Alina Gioroc, the operations manager who led the disciplinary case, presented a contrasting view. She testified that the thief intended to apologise and shake hands with the passenger upon returning, and that Mr Hehir's push escalated the situation. She deemed the half-hour restraint as excessive and disproportionate, justifying the dismissal without notice.
The tribunal, held in Watford, concluded that Metroline's belief in Mr Hehir's gross misconduct was reasonable and within acceptable employer responses. A Metroline spokesperson emphasised that the dismissal upheld safety protocols designed to protect staff and passengers, which remains their top priority.
