--- In BromleyNWA@..., "Dave Stewart" <dave@...> wrote:
>
> Sent: 27 April 2007 09:46
>
> A bus driver was critically ill today after youths abused him and
tried
> to
> steal his cash tray.
>
> The 66-year-old Metrobus employee was taken to hospital following
the
> incident
> on the 354 bus outside Clock House railway station in Beckenham,
south
> east
> London, at around 10pm last night.
>
> A group of between eight and 10 passengers, all in their late teens,
> approached
> the driver as he stopped outside the station.
>
> Police said the all-male group started verbally abusing the driver
and
> attempted to steal his cash tray.
>
> After failing to get into the driver's cabin, the group ran off.
>
> Am ambulance was called shortly afterwards and the bus driver was
taken
> to a
> south London hospital, where his condition is said to be critical.
>
> Police interviewed the two other passengers on the bus and are
looking
> at CCTV
> images.
>
> The 354 travels from Penge to Bromley North.
>
> Bromley CID is investigating and anyone with information is asked to
> call
> Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

I am tempted to say, 'What a silly question!' I mean, police have
already interviewed the two likely witnesses, and they would scarcely
accept anything from the public other than a confession - i.e.,
hearsay.
No, what I have noticed lately, as a member of the public, is two or
three young men in public places with a very bad attitude. One was
near a crowded bus stop, repeatedly screaming into his mobile, 'IF
ANYONE MESSES WITH MY MONEY, THEY'LL GET SLASHED! YOU HEAR ME?'
Another one, almost straight afterwards at Penge East, was
unnecessarily loudly and disputing charges with his mobile provider
for all to hear. 'Maybe it's the heat,' I thought to myself (altho I
didn't personally think Wednesday afternoon was all that hot). And
there was another one just now, coming away from Kent House. The
first of these incidents so concerned me that I took a distant snap
of the stripey-hooded offender while he was looking elsewhere. I have
always believed, myself, in Soviet-style, plain clothes policing,
which might have allowed these individuals to be identified and
cautioned. (When I say I believe in Soviet-style policing, I refer
not, of course, to the abuse and murder of dissidents, or the early
rounding up and raping of city prostitutes. I always felt we needed a
dialogue with communism, and one side winning the Cold War seems
unhealthy, both for policing and everything else).

Richard