Bus driver awarded for 'selfless actions'

A bus driver has been recognised for helping us tackle an abusive passenger. 

Sailesh Patel alerted a passing police car to a man on the upper deck who he couldn’t wake up. He’d been sleeping on the bus which was travelling in Birmingham on Friday 12 January 2019 at around 11:30pm for over two hours.

Sergeant Milton Reid got on the bus and managed to wake the man who looked heavily intoxicated. He then dropped a metal baton on the floor and attempted to barge past the officer.

Mr Patel immediately stepped in to help Sergeant Reid as the man was becoming increasingly violent and abusive. Fortunately they were able to restrain the man until more officers came to assist.

Mr Patel was handed a Chief Constable Good Citizens award for his ‘selfless actions’ at a ceremony on Tuesday (7 January).