London Bus Driver Dismissed After Confronting Thief in 'Hero' Incident
A London bus driver, celebrated by the public as a hero, has been sacked by his employer after he chased down a thief who snatched a passenger's necklace and knocked the assailant unconscious during a subsequent altercation. Mark Hehir, who had worked for Metroline for two years, was driving the 206 service between Wembley and Maida Vale in north-west London on June 25, 2024, when the dramatic events unfolded.
Sequence of Events Leading to Dismissal
According to evidence presented at an employment tribunal in Watford, a man boarded the bus, pushed past a female passenger, and violently snatched a necklace from around her neck before fleeing the scene. Upon becoming aware of the theft, Mr Hehir instinctively left his bus—with the engine running and handbrake applied—to pursue the perpetrator down the street. He successfully retrieved the stolen jewellery and returned it to the distressed passenger.
However, the situation escalated when the thief reappeared, walking back towards the bus. The tribunal heard that the man then threw the first punch at Mr Hehir, who responded in self-defence with a single blow that rendered the assailant unconscious. Mr Hehir subsequently dragged the man to the pavement and restrained him for approximately half an hour while awaiting police arrival.
Disciplinary Proceedings and Tribunal Findings
Both individuals were arrested, but Mr Hehir was released without further police action. Nevertheless, Metroline suspended him the following day and initiated a disciplinary investigation. The company alleged that Mr Hehir had brought the company into disrepute by physically assaulting a passenger and had failed to protect safety by leaving the bus unattended.
During the hearing, Mr Hehir defended his actions, stating he acted instinctively to protect the frightened passenger and believed the public viewed him as a hero. A case review note from Detective Constable Waddington was presented, indicating that the force used was proportionate and necessary for defending himself and the passenger. However, Alina Gioroc, the operations manager who heard the disciplinary case, offered a contrasting interpretation.
Ms Gioroc suggested that the thief may have returned to the bus intending to apologise and shake hands, and that Mr Hehir provoked the confrontation by pushing him away. She deemed the prolonged restraint an excessive use of force and concluded that gross misconduct had occurred, leading to dismissal without notice. Mr Hehir's appeal was recently upheld by the tribunal, which ruled the employer's decision was within a band of reasonable responses.
Broader Implications for Employee Conduct
This case highlights the complex balance between instinctive protective actions and corporate liability policies. While Mr Hehir's actions were praised by passengers and initially supported by police assessment, Metroline's strict adherence to safety protocols and reputational concerns ultimately dictated the outcome. The tribunal's affirmation underscores the legal precedence given to employers' reasonable disciplinary judgements, even in morally ambiguous scenarios.
The incident raises pertinent questions about the expectations placed on public transport staff in crisis situations and the potential consequences of intervening in criminal acts. Metroline Limited has been approached for further comment regarding their policies on employee conduct during such incidents.
