Belfast bus attacks: £1,000 reward as Unions slam violence

No one should go to work not knowing if they will make it home safe at the end of their shift - that's the view of a Trade Union here.

A £1,000 reward is on offer for help catching assailants following a spate of Belfast bus attacks.

GMB, Unite and bus company Translink met after the latest incident, which saw a Belfast Glider inspector forced to attend hospital after being assaulted.

Translink said, "The safety of our customers, staff and the wider public is our top priority at all times and the vast majority of our passengers experience safe and comfortable journeys."

Translink, GMB and Unite, strongly condemn these attacks on staff, which have all been reported to the PSNI and which have led to arrests in one case so far.

The company will also offer a reward of up to £1,000 for anyone prepared to give evidence which leads to a conviction.

Peter Macklin, GMB Organiser, said: “Positive engagement between GMB, Unite and Translink continues.

“We support the company's zero-tolerance approach towards all anti-social behaviour and we will jointly participate in a multi-agency approach to mitigate this behaviour.

“We will work closely with the PSNI including Neighbourhood Policing Teams and the Safe Transport Team; as well as community and elected representatives to reduce and prevent anti-social behaviour.

“There is a range of measures in place to enhance safety including CCTV systems on board the Glider vehicles and at halts; and staff use body worn cameras.

“No one should go to work not knowing if they will make it home safe at the end of their shift. This violence must stop.”