On a chilly evening in the West Midlands, Andy Collett, a veteran bus driver with 38 years on Birmingham’s routes, sits behind the wheel, reflecting on a profession transformed by fear. “Would I catch a bus? No, not out of choice now,” he admits, his voice tinged with resignation. “I feel much happier using my own car.” It’s a sentiment that resonates not just with passengers, but with drivers themselves—those tasked with keeping the lifeblood of public transport flowing, even as their daily shifts become battlegrounds for respect and safety.
According to BBC News, Collett’s experiences are far from unique. Assaulted twice, spat at countless times, and regularly dealing with broken windows, he describes a “lawlessness” among some of the travelling public, especially younger people—a trend he believes has only worsened over nearly four decades behind the wheel. “I was attacked by about 30 schoolkids,” he recalls, the memory still raw. “I had cuts, bruises. They actually bent the fingers back on my hand when I was trying to hold [the door] to stop them getting on the vehicle.” These aren’t isolated incidents; they’re emblematic of a disturbing national surge in antisocial behaviour targeting bus drivers and passengers alike.
The statistics are sobering. British Transport Police recorded 40,034 incidents of antisocial behaviour in 2024-25, marking a 24% jump from the previous year. Mixvale, reporting on December 10, 2025, highlights how this wave of hostility has swept across the nation, from major urban centers to smaller towns. The incidents run the gamut: verbal harassment, racial and discriminatory slurs, threats with weapons like knives, physical assaults, vandalism, and fare evasion. For drivers, each shift can mean navigating not just the city’s roads, but also a gauntlet of aggression and disrespect.
At Chelmsley Wood bus interchange in the West Midlands—a microcosm of this crisis—vandalism, graffiti, and attacks have become alarmingly routine. Security camera footage, shared by BBC News, shows masked teenagers launching fireworks at buses during Halloween and Bonfire Night. The area’s reputation has led to a Public Space Protection Order, intended to curb gatherings of young people and require the removal of masks and hoods. Yet, for many, the sense of safety remains elusive.
Passenger Emma Banks, who relies on buses due to her inability to drive, explains, “They [were] hitting the bus. I’ve got learning difficulties and sometimes it does scare you.” On that cold night, she opts for a taxi instead. “I know that I’ll get home safely.” For 17-year-old Elle Furlong, the fear is palpable. “They smash windows, purposely pull the fire alarm, light their lighters on the chairs. It’s just horrendous.” She avoids buses whenever possible, preferring to walk, take an Uber, or rely on her father for rides.
While Transport for West Midlands estimates that the probability of becoming a victim of crime on public transport is very low—just one crime for every 50,000 bus journeys—perceptions often outweigh statistics. The emotional toll on drivers is significant. “You come to work not knowing what you’re going to face,” confides a driver who requested anonymity. “It can cause a lot of anxiety and stress. I go home sometimes and just want to break down and cry because it’s a horrible job.”
Mixvale underscores how this climate of fear and disrespect is driving a recruitment crisis. The mental health impact—heightened anxiety, depression, and even post-traumatic stress—makes it harder to recruit and retain qualified personnel. The job, once seen as steady and essential, now carries a reputation for danger that deters new applicants, especially among younger generations.
Authorities are scrambling to respond. Since 2019, Transport Safety Officers (TSOs) have patrolled the West Midlands, their numbers recently doubled to 25. While not police, these officers have limited powers to tackle issues on public transport. BBC News recounts how, on a typical day, TSO Esha Sheemar warns unruly schoolchildren they’ll be thrown off the bus if they don’t behave. Her colleague, Lee Clarke, spots a 13-year-old wanted for vandalising a bus shelter. The boy’s details are taken, but with limited authority, the case is passed to the police.
The West Midlands Safer Travel Partnership—comprising TSOs, West Midlands Police, British Transport Police, and transport companies—operates a control room bristling with more than 5,000 fixed cameras. Kerry Blakeman, head of security, says they capture about 30 incidents daily. “We are trying to do our best to keep the travelling public safe. Behind each camera is an operator looking out for your safety whilst you travel around the bus, train and tram network.”
But for drivers like Bryan Cook, who has been threatened with a weapon four times in just three months, the measures can feel inadequate. “Where are you on the weekends? Where are you on school holidays?” he asks, frustrated by the mismatch between TSO patrols and the timing of many incidents. The challenge, as BBC News notes, is daunting: a small team covering a sprawling region, with many areas relying solely on police response.
National Express West Midlands insists that all reports of antisocial behaviour or crime are “fully investigated to ensure perpetrators are held accountable, to identify any learnings, and to provide support for those affected.” Yet, as another anonymous driver puts it, “They [management] know what goes on. Do they care? I don’t know. Doesn’t feel like it, to be fair.”
Across the country, authorities are exploring new safety measures and technological solutions. Enhanced CCTV systems with real-time monitoring, driver protection screens, panic buttons, and improved communication systems are increasingly common on buses. Transport for West Midlands is looking to expand its use of drone cameras and AI technology, capable of recognising known troublemakers and even concealed weapons. A campaign has also been launched to prioritize the safety of women and girls, addressing harassment and abuse head-on.
Legislative responses are evolving, too. The UK government’s recent Bus Services Act gives local authorities extra powers to tackle issues like smoking, vaping, and fare evasion—problems TSOs can already address on trains. The Act also mandates training for bus drivers on dealing with antisocial behaviour and recognising harassment, especially against women and girls. The Department for Transport calls abuse of passengers and staff “unacceptable” and points to these new powers as critical tools in the fight against antisocial behaviour.
Racial abuse remains a particularly troubling aspect of this trend. On October 16, 2025, as reported by local police and covered by BBC News, a woman in her 40s was racially abused by a man on a bus at Cribbs Causeway. Avon and Somerset Police released images of the suspect and continue to seek public assistance in the case. PC Max Sims called it “a shocking incident, with the victim being subjected to disgusting racist abuse.”
Ultimately, restoring safety and respect on public transport will demand more than cameras and patrols. Community engagement and public awareness campaigns are being rolled out to foster a culture of civility, reminding passengers of their shared responsibility. As Mixvale points out, only a multi-faceted approach—combining security, technology, community involvement, and strong legislative support—will reverse the current trend and ensure that drivers like Andy Collett and Bryan Cook can do their jobs without fear.
The path forward is neither simple nor swift, but the message from the frontlines is clear: every journey should be safe for those who make public transport possible.
