Unite calls for urgent action to tackle violence after bus driver dies in attack

Sergei Krajev, 64, was working on the number 49 from Shepherd’s Bush bus garage to Clapham, when he was attacked on the Battersea Bridge section of the route.

Metropolitan Police have launched a murder investigation into the incident which happened late on the night of Sunday 17 May. 

The attacker was a man in his 30s, who remains in police custody. 

Mr Krajev spent two days in intensive care at St George's Hospital, but he later passed away.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our thoughts go out to Sergei Krajev’s family. A father, husband and grandfather, who went out to work and did not come home."

Graham called on TFL to take action to ensure the safety of all bus workers. “No bus worker should be subjected to violence whilst carrying out their duties. TFL and the bus companies must now swiftly introduce training for drivers on how to respond and deal with violent confrontations.”

Unite is pushing for training for bus drivers on how to deal with violence. Photograph: iStock

Responding to the comments, TfL in a statement published by the BBC, said: “All bus drivers receive training on conflict awareness and avoidance. This was first included in a TfL-led two-day bus driver training course which was delivered to all bus drivers and has since been incorporated into all operator induction training.

"Workplace violence and abuse prevention training is a requirement in all of TfL's contracts with bus operators."

Unite insists that training on how to deal with violence and to defuse such situations is provided by Transport to London for London Underground staff but bus drivers do not currently receive such training.