A MAN who forced his way onto a bus despite being refused entry for not wearing a face mask hit the driver over the head with a beer can.

At around 4pm on Wednesday, July 22, a man attempted to get on a busy without a face mask at a stop in Charminster Road, near to Shelbourne Road.

The driver refused to let him on, and he became aggressive and forced his way onto the bus and sat down.

When the driver went to remove the man, the offender hit him in the head with a beer can he was holding and pushed him to the floor.

The driver was also kicked and sustained a cut to his head and went to hospital for treatment.

Officers attended and carried out a search for the offender, who is described as being aged in his late 30s to early 40s, of scruffy appearance and wearing a rusty-coloured open top shirt, but he was not located.

Police have now appealed for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.

Police constable Kate Brew, of Bournemouth police, said: “We are investigating this assault and I am appealing to anyone with information that might assist our enquiries to please come forward.

“I understand there were a number of people on the bus and at the bus stop at the time, some of whom have not spoken to police and I would ask them to please make contact with us.

“This was a nasty attack on a bus driver who was just doing his job and we are determined to identify the man responsible.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email to 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55200107793.

Alternatively, people can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.