Appeals to trace Chelsea bus passenger after driver is allegedly racially abused

Cops from the Roads and Transport Policing Command have released an image of a man they want to speak to after a bus driver was allegedly racially abused.

The incident is said to have happened at around 11.40pm on Friday, October 12, in Beaufort Street, Chelsea.

The passenger appeared intoxicated as he got on the bus and was verbally aggressive, shouting and swearing at the driver of the route No.19 bus, allegedly.

The driver challenged the passenger’s behaviour, telling him that if it continued the driver would report him to police. The passenger then went to sit on the upper deck of the bus.

When the bus approached a bus stop in Beaufort Street, and as the passenger got off, he is said to have turned towards the bus driver and directed racist slurs and swore at him.

If you recognise the man in the picture, contact police by dialling 101, quoting reference 4811/13OC22.

Officers are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident who has not yet spoken to police.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or tweet @MetCC with any information.

Victims of hate crime can report any incident directly to the Met or through a national hate crime reporting portal via the TruVision website: www.report-it.org.uk/

Further advice can be found via: www.met.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/hco/hate-crime/how-to-report-hate-crime/

Pictured top: A picture of the man police wish to speak to (Picture: The Met)