Bus driver assaulted in Huyton

Detectives have released CCTV stills from a woman they want to speak to after a bus driver in Huyton was spat at and slapped.
The 35-year-old driver had asked two women to get off the bus after they tried to board the Huyton Travel Ltd service with a bus pass only valid for another travel company.
Initially they tried to persuade him to change his mind but when he refused, they boarded the bus anyway.
One of the women then left her seat and approached the driver and verbally abused him before spitting in his face and grabbing his hat.
She left with the other woman after making verbal threats at him.
The driver then left the bus stop in Liverpool Road near the junction of Woolfall Heath Avenue in Page Moss, Huyton and continued on his journey to Kirkby.
He reported the incident – which happened at around 9.30pm on Wednesday, March 6 – the following morning.
Detectives from Knowsley CID have viewed CCTV taken on board the bus that evening and are keen to identify and trace the woman seen on camera as she may have information that could help progress the investigation.
Detective Constable Judy Nicholson said: "This was an extremely unpleasant and nasty incident committed against a bus driver who was simply doing his job. This woman did not have the correct pass for his service and had no money to pay. When he and other passengers tried to advise her where else she might get her bus home, she became verbally abusive and aggressive. Thankfully the driver was not physically hurt but to be spat at and threatened in this way will have been incredibly distressing.
"There were several passengers on board who saw what happened and have been a big help to the police however I really need to speak to the woman in the CCTV to progress this investigation."
Call Kirkby CID on 777 6571 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.