Bus driver sprayed with substance in Leeds

Thursday, 5 April 2018 07:00

Police are appealing for information after a bus driver was sprayed with a substance in Leeds.

Emergency services were called to the bus stop outside Pet & Aquatic World on Armley Road at 2.25pm on Tuesday 3 April.

The driver, a 54-year-old man, had been sprayed in the face by a passenger who had tried to get off before the stop and then forced the doors open to leave.

The driver experienced stinging to his eyes, nose and throat and was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital to be checked over. He is not believed to have suffered any lasting effects.

A 20-year-old woman passenger was also taken to hospital after having an asthma attack. She was treated and released a short time later.

Tests by the fire service confirmed that the substance used was not harmful. It is believed to have been a CS type spray or similar.

The suspect, who was described as white, about 5ft 11ins tall and of average build, had got on the city-bound number 72 First service at Armley Ridge Road. He walked off in the direction of Branch Road after the attack.

Inspector Sarah Towers, who heads neighbourhood policing for west Leeds, said: “This was a very distressing incident for the driver and the passenger affected by this substance and also for the other passengers who were on the bus.

“We are carrying out extensive enquiries, including checks on CCTV from the bus and in the general area, and would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident or saw the suspect leaving the scene.

“Thankfully the substance used doesn’t appear to have caused any lasting effects but we are treating this incident seriously. Clearly someone who is prepared to illegally carry and use something like that in an unprovoked attack needs to be caught as soon as possible.”

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