Bus Driver Stabbed in Southall During Changeover

Union demands urgent action after spate of attacks

The assault occurred at the bus stop on Cambridge Road

A bus driver was stabbed in Cambridge Road, Southall in the early hours of Friday 29 May, prompting renewed calls from the union Unite for immediate changes to protect transport workers.

The Metropolitan Police said officers were called to reports of a stabbing at 6:22am . The victim, a man, was treated at the scene by the London Ambulance Service and taken to hospital; his injuries have been described as non-life changing. Police said officers arrived within minutes, have taken witness statements and reviewed CCTV footage, and that no arrests have been made.

Unite said the attack occurred while the driver was waiting at a bus stop for a changeover. The union described the incident as the second serious attack on a London driver in 10 days, coming shortly after the death of driver Sergi Krajev, who died after being assaulted last week.

The most recent data and reporting show a sharp rise in assaults on London bus drivers: 818 physical assaults and hate crimes were recorded in 2024, up from 679 in 2023, with 431 incidents reported by mid-August 2025; broader Transport for London figures record 10,493 reports of work-related violence and aggression against transport workers in 2023/24.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said the latest incident underlined the urgent need for new safety measures. “This is another shocking attack on a bus driver. No one should go to work fearing they will be attacked,” she said. Ms Graham called for the Mayor of London, Transport for London and private bus operators to meet with Unite to develop “concrete solutions” to better protect drivers.

The union is pressing for a review of current guidance that advises drivers to remain in their cabs, arguing the advice is “flawed and impractical” in some situations. Unite regional officer Nadine Edwards said training used by London Underground staff to defuse violent situations should be extended to bus drivers, and that fresh guidance and full training are urgently needed so drivers are not put at risk.

Police said their investigation is ongoing and stressed the importance of community information in building the case. Anyone who witnessed the incident, has dashcam or doorbell footage, or other information that could assist officers is urged to contact the Met on 101, quoting 1354/29MAY, or to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.