Prat In The Hat: Police Hunting This Suspected Bus Yob

Police are hunting this suspected bus yob, who shouted racial and sexist abuse at a 13 year-old schoolgirl and tried to thump a woman who intervened.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police's Roads and Transport Command are asking for the public’s help to identify the man.

On Tuesday, November 14, last year at around 4.00pm the victim was on the top deck of a route 174 bus travelling through east London, having finished school.

The bus stopped at Romford Station and the suspect on.

He began staring at the victim, causing her to feel uncomfortable.

The bus stopped again at Barking and Dagenham College and the male stood up and began shouting racial and sexual insults at the girl.

Another passenger, an adult female, went to the victim’s aid and tried to escort her downstairs.

The male said they could not get off and then attempted to punch the woman before another male passenger intervened and told the man to leave them alone.

The pair went downstairs and the woman stayed with the teenager until she got off at her stop and told her parents, who then alerted police.

Police have issued an image of a man they would like to speak to in connection with this incident.

He is described as a black male, aged approx 35 – 45 years-old.

He was wearing a distinctive leather jacket with white strips down the arm and a patterned cap.

Anyone who recognizes the male is asked to call police on 101 quoting 5119484/17.

Alternativey contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.