LAST Saturday we witnessed a police constable arrest a bus driver in Whitby, the latter having sounded his horn at a police van parked in the bus dropping-off zone outside the George Hotel.
The bus driver was directed to drive around the van, which he did and the passengers got off.
The bus set off and the constable, who had gone into the hotel, reappeared, got into the van and overtook a line of cars waiting behind the bus at the pe
destrian crossing by the station.
He stopped beside the bus and when the lights changed to green he turned into the bus station.
The bus arrived at the 95 bus stop, where we were waiting, and we started to get on.
However, the constable appeared, pushed his way past the waiting queue, and arrested the driver.
When asked why he was being arrested the constable replied it was because he had made an offensive gesture at him, saying "How would you like this done to you?" and demonstrated the alleged action.
The queuing people were astounded by this and many voiced the opinion that such a trivial incident did not merit an arrest.
The bus driver was then handcuffed, the bus locked, and then he was marched away.
We were so upset by this that we walked to the police station to express our concerns, but no officer was available to speak to us.
We were all horrified that such a minor incident was dealt with in this manner, and it must be said the bus driver behaved in a calm and dignified manner throughout.
DS & GM Orton, High Street, Ruswarp
The full article contains 277 words and appears in Whitby Gazette Tuesday newspaper.