WEST Midlands Victims Commissioner Nicky Brennan is working with National Express to help drivers who have been hate crime victims.
She was invited to speak to National Express West Midlands drivers who have experienced antisocial behaviour violence or abuse while doing their jobs.
Several of the drivers she met with had been verbally and physically attacked in the past.
The Commissioner went to National Express West Midlands’ Birmingham depot, where she said she would do all she can to support drivers who face hate crimes.
She has commissioned Remedi to help tackle hate crime by bringing
the victim and perpetrator together.
Nicky Brennan said: “I have been taken aback by some of the stories I have heard about crimes committed against bus drivers.
“They have been attacked, spat at and verbally abused, all while ensuring people can get about with their day – getting to work, going to school or attending vital appointments.
“At the start of the pandemic we were applauding our front line heroes and now I am hearing stories of them being attacked for doing their job.
“I was delighted to hear of the restotative justice work Remedi is doing with bus drivers and offering the victims the chance to meet offenders and engage with them and talk about what happened.”
