Daijiworld Media Network - London

London, Sep 19: An Indian-origin Sikh bus driver was allegedly assaulted and thrown out of his bus before the vehicle was stolen and driven into several cars in Telford, Shropshire, on Friday evening. A man in his 20s has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and dangerous driving.

West Mercia Police said officers were called to Court Street in Madeley at around 6.37 pm on September 18 following reports that a bus driver had been assaulted. During the assault, the driver was ejected from the vehicle.

The bus was then driven along Park Way towards the High Street on the wrong side of the road, colliding with multiple vehicles before it was eventually stopped. The driver was treated by paramedics for minor injuries, while police said no one else was believed to have been injured.

The arrested man remains in police custody as enquiries continue. Detective Sergeant Taigh Lannie said officers were seeking witnesses and footage from the Court Street, Park Way and High Street areas, including dashcam, CCTV, mobile phone and doorbell recordings.

Videos of the incident have circulated widely on social media, with reports identifying the victim as a Sikh bus driver. Indian media reports have also said the footage showed the driver's beard being pulled during the alleged assault.

The incident has triggered anger among sections of the Punjabi and Sikh communities in the UK and elsewhere. Community members and leaders have condemned the alleged attack and called for strict legal action. However, police have so far confirmed the assault, robbery and dangerous-driving allegations but have not publicly stated that the incident is being investigated as a hate crime.