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The West Midlands Victims’ Commissioner Nicky Brennan is working with National Express to help bus drivers who become victims of hate crime.

Nicky was invited to hear first-hand from National Express West Midlands drivers who have been subjected to antisocial behaviour, violence or abuse  whilst behind the wheel.

She met with a number of local drivers who have been attacked both verbally and physically while doing their job, delivering front line services to keep our region moving day and night.

She dropped into National Express West Midlands’ Birmingham depot, where she committed to doing all she can to support drivers who face hate crimes. She has commissioned the services of Remedi to help, an organisation that tackles hate crime by bringing the victim and perpetrator together.

West Midlands Victims’ Commissioner Nicky Brennan said: “I have been taken aback by some of the stories I have heard about crimes committed against bus drivers.

“They have been attacked, spat at and verbally abused, all while ensuring people can get about with their day – getting to work, going to school or attending vital appointments.

“At the start of the pandemic we were applauding our front line heroes and now I am hearing stories of them being attacked for doing their job.

“I was delighted to hear of the restotative justice work Remedi is doing with bus drivers and offering the victims the chance to meet offenders and engage with them and talk about what happened.”

Remedi was established in 1996 with the aim of offering victims of crime the opportunity to engage in a restorative intervention with the person responsible, which still continues to this day. It is commissioned and funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

National Express West Midlands Managing Director, David Bradford said: “At National Express, we take antisocial behaviour and crime extremely seriously.

“We are glad to be partnering with an organisation focused on restorative justice, offering victims of crime the opportunity to engage in an intervention with the person responsible.

“These interventions are proven to be extremely effective in reducing re-offending. We are very grateful for the West Midlands Victims’ Commissioner’s help – her support means a great deal to our bus drivers as they do their vital work keeping our region moving every day.”

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