Bullied on the bus - any offences?

[GodAtum]

I was waiting in the queue for a bus yesterday afternoon along with many other commuters. The bus arrived and we started to get on but two young guys barged in front and where checking everyone who was getting on. They told me they didnt like the look of me and refused to let me on the bus. I tried to get past them but they blocked me.

If they had pushed me then I would have called the police and reported an affray or assault. But they didnt really touch me so I'm not sure if any offences were committed?

Anyway, I waited for the next bus.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Utterly bizarre. Where was this? Was it perhaps a racist incident?

 

[Antman]

I was waiting in the queue for a bus yesterday afternoon along with many other commuters. The bus arrived and we started to get on but two young guys barged in front and where checking everyone who was getting on. They told me they didnt like the look of me and refused to let me on the bus. I tried to get past them but they blocked me.

If they had pushed me then I would have called the police and reported an affray or assault. But they didnt really touch me so I'm not sure if any offences were committed?

Anyway, I waited for the next bus.

Bizzare, I can only suggest you report the matter to the police asap

 

[34D]

Were they members of bus company staff?

Was this in London or outside? What did the driver say?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Were they members of bus company staff?

Was this in London or outside? What did the driver say?

Exactly!

Before we get the police involved or start getting racism bandied about, let's understand the context! Who were these people? What were the circumstances? What did the driver do/say?

 

[GodAtum]

The two teenagers who stopped me where random strangers trying to be annoying. It happened outside the bus so the driver didnt do anything.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The two teenagers who stopped me where random strangers trying to be annoying. It happened outside the bus so the driver didnt do anything.

Where did this occur, i.e. in what city?

Did you feel like you would have been under threat if you had just pushed past as I think most would have done? (Technically assault, but incredibly unlikely to be prosecuted)

 

[GodAtum]

Where did this occur, i.e. in what city?

Did you feel like you would have been under threat if you had just pushed past as I think most would have done? (Technically assault, but incredibly unlikely to be prosecuted)

It was in London arond 7pm. I suppose I did feel scared to get physical with them and try to push past them.

 

[Flamingo]

Contact the bus company with the time & stop, and police with the same. Given the numbers of CCTV cameras covering a bus, there should be good images of the pair. I'm sure that a good PC would be able to find something they could nail them for...

 

[EM2]

TfL Road Transport Premises Byelaws cover bus shelters:
https://tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/documents/road-transport-premises-byelaws.pdf

6. Unacceptable behaviour
.....
(8) No person shall molest or wilfully interfere with the comfort or convenience of
any person on the premises.

 

[CheesyChips]

I'm sure that a good PC would be able to find something they could nail them for...

Yeah, anybody who behaves like that is likely to have done something else in the recent past.

It would have "technically" been a public order offence if they caused you alarm, harassment or distress but this law is often more suited to being a justification for throwing drunken idiots into the van on a Friday night.

 

[transportphoto]

Could possibly be a Assault contrary to s39 Criminal Justice Act 1988; if they intentionally or recklessly caused you to apprehend the immediate infliction of unlawful force, for example if you were to attempt to board the bus, did you apprehend that they would physically stop you? On paper, the offence may be complete, but in reality, this is a weird weird event and I see nothing coming out of it.

 

[CatfordCat]

I'm neither a police officer or a lawyer - I would have thought that stopping someone moving freely on the highway is some sort of offence, but not sure what.

There are PSV Regulations that cover behaviour of passengers on buses, but if this was off the bus, not quite sure they cover this.

Bus drivers are in an awkward position when passengers / intending passengers are being obnoxious without being actually violent - intervening / obviously summoning police can inflame the situation.

Met Police (I'm assuming it was in greater London rather than 'the square mile' of the City of London - which has its own police force) have a 'safer transport' unit, which is split by London borough - more here. May be worth getting in touch with them.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I'm neither a police officer or a lawyer - I would have thought that stopping someone moving freely on the highway is some sort of offence, but not sure what.

There are PSV Regulations that cover behaviour of passengers on buses, but if this was off the bus, not quite sure they cover this.

Bus drivers are in an awkward position when passengers / intending passengers are being obnoxious without being actually violent - intervening / obviously summoning police can inflame the situation.

Met Police (I'm assuming it was in greater London rather than 'the square mile' of the City of London - which has its own police force) have a 'safer transport' unit, which is split by London borough - more here. May be worth getting in touch with them.

Given that these were strangers, and the OP has been vague on the nature of the events, one wonders what offence took place and the desire of the police to act further.

 

[jay3562]

I dont necessarily know if id bother personally reporting it to the police if theyve not touched you and committed an actual assault chances are the police wont be all that interested .
But then id have probably just pushed past them and got onto the bus regardless of what they where saying . Assuming they where not police officers or employees of the bus company that is .

If you did decide to report it to the police the most likely outcome is that the police would pull up the CCTV and see if they are known to the police . If they did find them the most they would do is go and have a word with them and it would result in NFA

 

[34D]

Did they board the bus?

 

[GodAtum]

Did they board the bus?

Yes. I saw no reason at the time to report it to the police and they did not inconvinience me much and it was not really a crime.

 

[matt_world2004]

Phone the Tfl customer service line with the date and time of the incident. You may get the oyster fare for the journey refunded. And if, like most teenagers do they have some form of concessionairy travel they will fond it revoked.

I was working on a. Bus once and there was this teenager giving abuse the entire journey at the back of the bus. His mate came up to us and the end of the journey and told us to watch world strictest parents on iplayer. Lo and behold was the teenager giving us abuse crying.