Jake from Croydon, me thinks a touch of jealousy....

nat, Brisbane, Australia

Sadly speaking this is very much the reality, not only in UK but all around the world, people are too concerned about their own lives that they dont bother to support anyone else even out of sense of humanity. As a student aspirinig to continue further education in England, such news does make me reluctant at times.

FARWA AAMER, Karachi, Pakistan

For some who were present I'm sure the reason for their inaction was fear, others perhaps simply didn't want the inconvenience of interrupting their journeys just to help this man.

However regrettable the collective lack of action now, I would urge you and the other passengers now to contact the police (in the area where this happened).

Perhaps the man was seriously injured, maybe he reported what happened: if you were unable to help then when you felt vulnerable or were in a hurry, you may be able to assist him now. How many more times will his assailant act in this way if no one does anything to prevent it?

Darren Howell, London,

It is sad to say that this article is so true. I do not understand why the government has not intervened and offered more protection to 'social' people. People are scared of the consequences of their actions. If you defend yourself you get prosecuted for it. The law is back to front. What Britain needs is not a gentle slope into normal society but a good hard 'kick in the face' - any anti-social behaviour be it bullying or fighting should not be tolerated, those people should be punished and since we have few people in the troops send them to war, they can get their fighting out of their systems, if they survive. Why kill off the women and men that do good when there are plenty of criminals that show that they want to fight in every day soiciety. Stop messing around and worrying about house prices and get realistic, people want a happy place to live not a frightening one.

Stephanie, UK,

What about annoying expats who have left the UK to live in France, Australia etc? Why do they read timesonline? Not homesick perchance? Log on SMH or Le Monde online - and entertain your new compatriots. We who face these issues are not interested in your backhanded dross.

Jake, Croydon, UK

"kids feel scared"

I beg to differ.

The root cause of the problem is not fear but lack of fear.

If "kids" knew that carrying a knife or carrying out an unprovoked assault would lead to a long jail term(think 10 years minimum) they would think twice about doing it.

But don't hold your breath,no politician in Britain has the guts to do what needs to be done.

sandy, ayrshire,

Britain is effectively in a state of emergency. There are too many stories like this one for them all to be discounted. We need an immediate return to capital punishment, curfews in particularly violent areas and, above all, the return of a police presence ON THE STREETS to restore confidence. We also need to introduce a zero tolerance policy and sack this inept government immediately. Ordinary citizens - NOT JUST CRIMINALS - should be allowed to carry weapons so they can defend themselves in case of attack. It's obvious that the police can lo longer defend us.

Gabriel Hershman, Sofia,

Well, how about this:

I'm in my twenties and sixteen stone of boxer. Could I have intervened? Yes. Would I? No.

And why not: It's because I can't risk the little dear being armed with a knife. Because then I might have to do some serious damage to him very quickly to avoid being stabbed. And though I probably could, I wouldn't want to. Because I don't trust the law. I can't risk losing my job, house, and all the things I've built up to a pc police force.

Show me a legal system that will stand up for me, and I'll intervene. Until then, enjoy the fruits of a socialist utopia.

MD, London,

Welcome to multi-cultural britain! There's an all to simple answer!

Dean, Southampton, England

The question always comes back to "Why do people do these things?"

It's not hard to answer. Because they can.

Graham , Chelmsford, Essex

Political correctness and the control of petty crime and antisocial behaviour are incompatible with each other. PC eliminates authority figures such as teachers, the police, community leaders, etc. That is why initiatives like the Guardian Angels works, despite being branded as vigilante groups by some. I read that we could be fighting in Afghanistan for 20 years, so why not use conscription as a punishment instead of prison for male violent crime offenders of 17 to 25 years of age? I suspect that 2 or 3 tours of Helmand Province would sort them out.

If they couldn't pass Royal Marines selection they could be back trooped until they make it, die or commit suicide. Any of these three options would be beneficial to British society.

Andy, Bath,

What the article exposes is a strongly justified suspicion that the police will not intervene effectively, or that they will treat the incident entirely inappropriately with the victim prosecuted as an "offender". Or that even if the police manage to respond as they should, the offender would in any event escape any consequences.

The police are not to blame, for they are handicapped by the human rights culture and by a judiciary which does not comprehend its own duty in enforcing the peace.

David Cohen, Westminster,

Thugs are thugs, wherever they are. They do what they do because they believe that they can do so with impunity. They expect NO adverse consequences to them as a result of their behaviour. Personally, I feel that it is none of society's business WHY one would engage in such behaviour. All we should do is seek to minimise the behaviour itself. If there were a means for a large number of people in public life to painfully, but legally, "disabuse" the thugs of their anti-social behavior, it would soon be minimised, if not eliminated. Personally, I favor tasers, followed in quick succession by a cell-phone speed-dial call to a police dispatcher. When removing the incapacitated miscreant from the bus, kindly drag him/her off by the hair or nape of the neck. This elevates the head from a rude encounter with the steps on the way down and out.

Bob Hamrick, Palm Coast, Florida, USA

All those who have undeserved faith in the police need to get a grip. While I was in Amsterdam, I was robbed with a knife to my neck a few hundred yards from a police station, and when I went to tell them about it, they told me I couldn't report the crime until the next day. THE NEXT DAY! I don't believe this is just a function of them being Dutch, and the criminals know they can get away with these things, and that's why this type of stuff continues.

The woman was with her five year old daughter. How many people would risk even potential death in front of their very young child? Give the woman a break.

Becky, Santa Cruz, CA,

Stopping violence needs the political will to do so. There is no political will to do so. God help us all.

Nicholas Lee, Windsor, UK

I cannot believe what i just read! how hard is it to stop a bus and call the police. and you have a job!

A Butler, Market Harborough, Leics:

wait until these "gangstas" get guns as they have in the states.meanwhile keep pretending that politcal corrrectness works for you.

william smith, venice, fl. usa

The bus driver was out of order if he knew what had happened, and it was an LT operated bus, the drivers all have radios, and also there should be cameras on the bus as well
A "code Red" call to LT Centercom would have had the police on scene in minutes if not seconds, I was a bus driver in S W London in the mid '90's, and have used code red a few times, when needed to have police assistance

Passengers can be a heartless lot as well, only thinking of themselves, one driver had a heart attack and died at the wheel, he managed to stop the bus and apply the hand break before dieing, but not one passenger came to his assistance, it was the following driver who found the bus empty with both doors open, so somebody had used both the emergency door opening switches to open the doors, and the front doors are by the drivers cab

Thank god I am out of the country, and never want to return

A C Peake, Plouasne, France

Everyone on the bus and on this board seems to have forgotten the victim of this crime. So, you wouldn't try to arrest the violent individual who beat him. But couldn't ANYONE have got off the bus and gone to the assistance of the poor guy who got beaten to the ground? Called an ambulance, let alone the police? I have lived in the Middle East for years and this stuff NEVER happens there. If there is a fight starting or an accident, SEVERAL men will step in, some times a whole crowd, step in to stop it and NO WAY a whole busful of people would leave someone bleeding on the pavement. By what this article says, British society is a disgrace and so are most British people.

RW, London,

Ridiculous assertions. She - and the other passengers and the driver - should be ashamed of themselves. Why not at least call the police? She casually says "they'd not have done anything" - utter rubbish - the police would have come asap, a violent crime in progress with offender on scene is one of the top priorities calls can get. Darn near every person on the bus had a mobile phone - most with camera; the criminal's face and crimes could have been hi-res photographed by two dozen people.

Secondly - this casual assumption that 'it could mean death'. One case - the chip-throwing murderer - is quoted as if its common - in fact its not. Its almost vanishingly rare. She and everyone else was not at any meaningful risk of death. To talk up the risk is to create an utterly false hazard - and thence to allow a true one by discouraging citizens from intevening in minor matters, which actually licenses the crime she claims to deplore. An awful article.

Alastair Stuart, London, UK

Interesting and honest article which says so much about modern Britain, where we have lost any sense of what is commonly accepted to be right and wrong. For decades we have grown soft on the misbehaving youth of these islands with psychiatry taking over from thousands of years of common sense. Government after government has run away from the real truth that bad behaviour is only a manifestation of people going unpunished for their misdemeanours. At the same time we try to wrap our children in cotton wool, removing any possible harm by not allowing them to play "dangerous" games like conkers. Meanwhile the violent children, who have always existed, thrive on danger as they are the only ones who can enjoy dangerous activity without the pathetic intervention of over-protective parents. I blame the fools who, with their liberal and fawning "understanding" of bad kids persuade us that the violent little darlings are more afraid than us. Camila Batmanghelidjh of Kids Company is wrong.

Denzil Gill, Haywards Heath, West Sussex

It's only going to get worse! You gave up your right to self-defense long ago. You refuse to believe that there is evil. Society wants to raise boys by emasculating them. Strong, courageous men will always be needed. The big question is "How did we did we allow ourselves to be led into this secular, spineless society?"

Don, Yukon, Oklahoma

"I don't think the bus was full of cowards." No, but the bus driver should have stopped the bus and the police should have been called. Until the law is taken seriously things will only get worse.

I have seen incidents on American public transport, much less serious than the above, and, without hesitation, the police are called to investigate.

Eddie Pratt, San Francisco, USA

Ms. Mills claims that "young men" are in an escalating cycle of fear on the streets resulting in the gang violence and murders we see amongst this section of society these days. Yes, this may be, but it has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with what she claims happened on the bus. A white man on a crowded bus apparently inadvertently stepped on a black youth's foot. The black racist youth responded in a disproportionate and savage way. What has this got to do with him being fearful of others? She "regrets there was no brave man on the bus ready to tackle this guy" Why should any man possibly sacrifice his life tackling a savage thug. That's what the police are for, and what our government is supposed to be for. All that has happened for years is that we, the public, have been thrown to the lions. When we have a Home Secretary who confesses she is afraid to walk the streets of London at night, AND DOES ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ABOUT IT, then we know we've had it.

Judith C, London,

if you do anything you end up in court for assaulting them

rob, devon, uk

How dare you suggest that an unauthorised person should interfere with that young man's human rights?

Nick, Rotherham, UK

The obvious thing for the bus driver to do would be to stop the bus, deny all exits, call the police and wait until they arrive to collar the offender.
I'm sure there was a man on the bus capable and courageous enough to stop the crime in progress, but why should he come come to the aid of a complete stranger? How would society compensate him for this singular act of heroism?
Without quid pro quo, you'll get no help from me. I didn't let this criminal element into the country and I won't be responsible for their conduct whilst they are here.
And as for this business of free bus fare for teenagers, that has to go.

The author writes, "I didn’t want to be a hero if death could be the consequence." But great men have spoken to this dilemma. A coward dies a thousand deaths...
Deal with it.

Philip Hubbard, Bristol,

I have sometimes been a 'hero' - intervening where sense would dictate otherwise. I am no macho man and I would've been beaten to a pulp if the person had wanted to do. But I've been lucky. As I get older I have the problem of how the potential of being killed or disabled would affect my family. I don't think that having a family makes me less expendable than a single man but that's where my line of reasoning seems to be taking me. Is the answer that I don't think that potentially losing my life to prevent or avenge someone who was beaten up on a bus is worth the risk. Maybe everyone on the bus did the same mental calculation. I hate the way the bully rules. Why are there any bullies ? Are we any more civilised than we were 2000 years ago ?

barrie, Guildford,

Private individuals will not, cannot confront these people without the lead and backup of the police, lawmakers and the organisations immediately involved such as bus companies otherwise they are acting entirely alone, at their own risk, of murder or violent humiliation at the hands of a psychopathic beast with the added probability of being hauled through the courts, fined, facing journalists on your doorstep, threatened by the thug's friends and relatives with absolutely no improvement in the civility and decency of these people or the quality of our lives. What is the point of doing it? There is not even the possibility of improving anything. In all likelihood it will make things worse by giving the thugs cheap victories, someone to target afterwards, them crowing in the press at their victory over another person who dared to confront them with no support from anyone except one’s friends and family and them piteously pleading with us never, never, never to be so foolish again.

R Mason, London, UK

Why not face up to it?

The UK is in terminal decline. I am glad I left.

David, Melbourne, Australia

I have no idea what causes all this violence (as a middle aged man I don't relate to it at all) but I think the article is right about how we tolerate it. Unfortunately this is true of the police also. Basically low level violence like that described doesn't seem to be worth their time. I hope that these young people will grow out of this but I'm not optimistic.

Andy, Torquay,

only the bnp will put an end to the violence in london.lib,lab,con,talk a lot but do little im afraid.

helen, Norwich,

The fact that anyone had to ask this question is proof, if any was needed that Social Workers and Utopians exist in a differet Universe. There is radical individualism ( if it feels good-do it ), radical egalitarialism ( lets make it feel good ) and the net results. Zero law enforcement, all minorities are good! All whites are bad- unless they are on Council Estates-see above. No one is responsible for anything. Rampant bastards, sorry, single mums. Absent fathers, sorry, sperm doners. Unlimited welfare, zero education, but it is alright, just throw more money. Please do not disturb me in my gated ( private ) community. Make sure those to whom I have inflicted this on in the name of progress; make sure they do not get near me or vote. Make sure MY illusion is never sullied with the result of my ' kindnes' and compassion. Be afraid, be very afraid, I am your future.

Desmond Taylor, Houston, USA Tx

The article noted that the preponderance of victims were "minorities." I supsect that the preponderance of perpetrators were also "minorities."

Unfortunately here also, violence seems to have a minority factor. It seems endemic not only in the UK, but in the USA. In the countries of origin, harsh and prompt penalites seem to better suppress this impulse to do harm.

Johnson, USA,

How about putting the bottle back in the genie? And you're right, it was a bus-load of cowards. A BUS LOAD, FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE! Do the maths!

Ian G, West Bromwich,

Why a "brave man"? We don't encourage boys top become brave men any more - especially against minorities who have had enough stick from us in the past. Let women be the brave ones.

Don, singapore,

Eleanor, you could have looked the lad really hard in the eye and told him that you and your daughter were getting off the bus. But I know it's hard to act "hard", in the face of people who think they're "hard". Some of us can and some of us can't. I would have thought the driver should have simply stopped the bus and ordered everybody off so that he could help the victim. Do buses have cctv I wonder? This is a truly terrible story and of course we shouldn't have to look after each other in situations like this. Or should we?

Mrs.Josephine Hyde-Hartley, Bacup, UK

Blah blah blah.

Whichever way you slice it, the price of safer communities is higher taxes. Put your hand up if you want that..anybody?

We live in the society we deserve, and we haven't reached rock bottom yet, not by a long chalk.

dave armstrong, leeds, UK