Teenage thugs beat up good kind hearted gentleman in sick attack on bus
The incident is believed to have happened on 17 July
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A video has circulated on social media showing a group of youths violently targeting a man on a bus, which was believed to be travelling around the Stockport area.
The group of youths are seen to block the victims path down from the upper deck of the bus, hurling abuse such as “who do you think you are?” and “you’re an old man.”
As the ring leaders continued goad the man, a backing chorus of laughter and approval is heard from others in the group.
Reported to have taken place on Monday 17 July, the incident is seen to escalate into violence when the youths started to throw punches and kick the man.
The victim struggles forwards, protecting his head with his arms as he makes his way dow the stairs but refuses to retaliate.
Greater Manchester Police are said to have confirmed officers attended the scene and footage is now being investigated, The Sun reports.
A spokesperson for Stagecoach said: "We were deeply disturbed to learn about an incident that occurred on one of our services on Monday, July 17.
"The safety of our customers is of paramount importance.
"The police attended the scene and we are fully assisting them with their ongoing enquiries."
Greater Manchester Police are said to be investigating the footage
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The video led to an outcry on social media, with one user questioning: “How have things changed so drastically from when we were young?”
Another user added: “Who on earth is bringing up kids like that?”
One social media user identified the bus as operating on the Brinnington circular 325 bus route, but this suggestion is currently unconfirmed.
In 2022, figures showed the number of reported incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour on the Greater Manchester region's bus network was 28 per cent higher than in 2021.
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A report on the TravelSafe Partnership by Alex Cropper, the interim chief operating officer of TfGM, said: "Youth-related anti-social behaviour continues as the main driver of incident reports across the network.
"This has been and remains a TravelSafe Partnership priority.
"Youth related anti-social behaviour continues to present a significant challenge across the whole network. During 2022, 41 per cent of all incidents were attributable to youths or young people.
"Key issues include youths congregating, engaging in harassment and intimidation, causing criminal damage, including throwing of missiles at moving vehicles, and interference with the operation of the network, like Metrolink door handle activations."
Vernon Everitt, Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester, has said: "Ensuring people feel safe to use public transport and active travel facilities is every bit as important as the improvements we are making to services, fares and ticketing through the Bee Network.
“Incidents and perceptions around crime and anti-social behaviour can be a real barrier to people travelling.”