‘What protection do we have?’: Worried West Midlands bus driver speaks out after stolen Telford bus drama
Some drivers claims they have no assault screens or panic alarms to protect them.
A bus driver has raised concerns about their safety following a violent incident in Telford in which a driver was assaulted, thrown from his bus and the vehicle stolen.
The incident happened in Madeley, Telford, at around 6.37pm on Friday, September 18, when police were called to Court Street following reports that a bus driver had been assaulted.
West Mercia Police said the driver was ejected from the vehicle during the assault. The bus was then driven along Park Way towards the High Street, travelling on the wrong side of the road and colliding with multiple vehicles.
A 33-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of robbery and dangerous driving, and remains in police custody while officers continue their enquiries.
The bus driver was treated by paramedics for minor injuries. Police said no one else was believed to have been injured in the incident.
The incident has now prompted concerns among bus drivers in Stafford, with one driver contacting the Shropshire Star anonymously.
The Stafford driver said the incident had left colleagues asking what protection they would have if a similar attack took place. He did not say which bus company he worked for, but the Shropshire Star has contacted several local bus providers to comment on the claims.
According to the driver, some buses operated in Stafford are not fitted with assault screens, while drivers do not have panic alarms or a means of quickly alerting control or police in the event of an attack.
The driver said: "We work as lone workers on early mornings and late nights with no physical protection and no emergency button to call for help."
They said drivers "keep the public moving" but questioned what protection is available to them while carrying out their jobs alone.
The driver also stressed that they and other colleagues would be willing to speak about their concerns anonymously.
The Telford incident has highlighted the potential consequences of an attack on a lone bus driver.
In this case, police said the driver was forced from the vehicle before the bus was driven through Telford, travelling on the wrong side of the road and hitting several vehicles.
Detective Sergeant Taigh Lannie, of West Mercia Police, described the incident as "alarming" and said officers had responded quickly.
Police are appealing for witnesses and anyone with relevant footage, including dashcam, CCTV, mobile phone or doorbell recordings from the Court Street, Park Way and High Street areas.
The force has asked anyone with information to contact police, quoting incident number 379i of September 18, 2026.
The Stafford driver said the absence of physical protection and emergency alert systems was a particular concern for those working early mornings and late nights.
They said: "Our buses in Stafford are not fitted with assault screens to protect us from assault, and we do not have panic alarms or a way to quickly alert control or the police if we are attacked."
The driver acknowledged that such measures are not necessarily a legal requirement for bus operators, but argued that the absence of them leaves drivers vulnerable when working alone.
The concerns raise wider questions about the measures bus operators have in place to protect drivers from violence, particularly where drivers can be working alone for long periods and may be operating services during quieter hours.
The events in neighbouring Telford have brought those concerns sharply into focus.
The anonymous driver said: "Drivers are now asking - what are we supposed to do if the same happens here? What protection do we have?"
The Shropshire Star has contacted local bus providers for comment.