A bus driver was verbally abused by a passenger, who then threw coins at him and punched him in the chest.

The incident happened on the North Orbital Road, the A405, at around 4.30pm on Friday, January 16, when a man boarded the Arriva bus and verbally abused the driver.

When the driver asked him to leave, he picked up the cash tray and threw it on the floor, before throwing some of the coins at the driver.

Then as the driver went to pick up the coins, the passenger, who had started to walk away, came back and punched him in the chest. He then left in an unknown direction.

The driver was uninjured and police have now released this CCTV image of a man they would like to speak to in connection with the incident.

PC Mo Huzair said: “Although fortunately the bus driver was not injured, this would undoubtedly have been a distressing incident for him.

“We treat incidents of this kind very seriously and such behaviour on public transport is not tolerated.

“We are working closely with the bus service provider, Arriva, in investigating this offence and I would strongly urge anyone with information or who recognises the man in the stills to come forward.”

Anyone with any information on this crime should telephone PC Mo Huzair on 0845 33 00 222. Alternatively, telephone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.