AN angry bus driver from Bromsgrove has hit out at thugs who he claims are bringing danger and misery to the lives of him and his colleagues

Colin Darby, from Birmingham Road, was attacked by a group of six youths, while driving a bus for First Midland Red in Redditch last month.

The teenagers, who boarded the bus on Unicorn Hill, in Redditch town centre, verbally and physically abused the Lickey End man, and stole money from him.

He immediately contacted police to report the incident and returned to the bus station in Plymouth Road, Redditch, where a fellow driver was reporting a similar attack.

Colin said: "You try and provide a public service, we don't need this aggravation."

However, the police told both Colin and his colleague they were too busy to deal with either of the incidents.

Colin added: "It would appear to me assault, attempted robbery and robbery is not very high on the priorities with the Redditch police when these two assaults happened within minutes of each other in the same place.

"The Government has started zero tolerance for nurses and doctors, but they are working in an insular environment and they have work colleagues and CCTV watching them.

"We, as bus drivers, are working day and night on our own out on the road and it now would appear we need back-up from the so called specialists, for example the police, but it is not readily available as this is very apparent," he added.

A police spokeswoman said: "A call was received by Mr Darby on the night of December 27 with regards to the allegation of assault and robbery of £3 from the bus he was driving.

"There does appear to have been a delay in contacting Mr Darby and this matter is being fully investigated," she added.