London Bus Driver Dismissed After Confronting Thief Who Stole Passenger's Necklace
A London bus driver hailed as a hero by the public has been dismissed from his job after chasing and punching a thief who stole a necklace from a passenger on his bus. The incident, which occurred in June 2024, has sparked debate over the boundaries of employee conduct and self-defence in the workplace.
Incident Details and Immediate Aftermath
Mark Hehir, who worked for Metroline for two years, was driving the 206 bus between Wembley and Maida Vale when a man boarded, snatched a necklace from a woman's neck, and fled. Instinctively, Mr Hehir pursued the thief, recovered the necklace, and returned it to the passenger. However, he left the bus engine running during the chase, a decision that later became a focal point in his disciplinary case.
According to tribunal reports, the thief later returned to the scene and threw the first punch at Mr Hehir. In response, Mr Hehir acted in self-defence, hitting the man once and knocking him unconscious. He then restrained the assailant on the pavement for nearly half an hour until authorities arrived. Both men were arrested, but Mr Hehir was released without further police action, with a report stating his use of force was proportionate and necessary to defend himself and the passenger.
Disciplinary Hearing and Dismissal
The day after the incident, Mr Hehir was suspended and faced a disciplinary hearing. He was accused of bringing the company into disrepute by physically assaulting a passenger and failing to protect safety by leaving the bus unattended with the engine running. Mr Hehir argued he acted on instinct, left the doors open and handbrake on, and that the female passenger was scared during the ordeal.
Alina Gioroc, an operations manager who oversaw the case, concluded that the thief may have returned to apologise, and that Mr Hehir's actions—including pushing the man away and restraining him for an extended period—constituted an excessive use of force. She found him guilty of gross misconduct, leading to his dismissal without notice.
Tribunal Upholds Dismissal
A tribunal in Watford upheld the dismissal, ruling that the employer's belief in Mr Hehir's misconduct was reasonable and within acceptable responses for such circumstances. This decision highlights the tension between personal heroism and corporate policy, raising questions about how transport workers should handle criminal acts while on duty.
