Ex-prison guard makes frightening admission

A former prison guard of three decades has made a frightening admission after he recently switched careers and became a bus driver.

Kevin Kemp says he has been assaulted multiple times as a bus driver. Picture: News Corp/Supplied

A former prison guard of three decades has made a frightening admission after he recently switched careers and became a bus driver.

Fed-up bus drivers are now considering walking off the job after a string of alleged assaults they attribute to a rogue gang of youths in northern NSW.

Drivers working routes around the border town of Tweed Heads say several have been allegedly attacked in recent months, with the union engaged to discuss industrial action.

One alleged victim, Kevin Kemp said he had experienced more violence in less than 12 months as a bus driver than he did in almost three decades as a prison guard.

The most recent incident – for which a 14-year-old boy was charged – left him with a split lip and needing to drink through a straw.

“A lot of drivers are having issues and the police can’t do anything about it,” he said.

“It’s getting to the point where drivers will walk.

“Something has got to be done.”

Kevin Kemp says he has been assaulted several times.

The most recent left him with a split lip.

Data from Transport for NSW’s bus industry dashboard recorded more than 300 reports of assault and offensive behaviour on the state’s network between July 2022 and June 2023.

Mr Kemp was allegedly assaulted twice this summer driving routes along the coastal towns near the Queensland border.

“I’ve been assaulted more as a bus driver than I did as a corrections officer for 28 years,” he said.

The latest incident this month allegedly involved a group of young people who forced their way onto the bus without paying.

When Mr Kemp tried to speak to them, one boy allegedly punched him in the face while another child grabbed his glasses from his face and threw them back at him.

NSW Police confirmed an alleged attack on Mr Kemp on February 17, which left him with facial injuries.

“Officers from Tweed-Byron Police District were told a 53-year-old driver was allegedly assaulted by a 14-year-old boy attempting to enter the bus via the incorrect door,” a spokesperson said.

“The boy was arrested and taken to Tweed Heads Police Station where he was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and breach of bail.”

A Surfside bus, operated by Kinetic, at the Tweed Mall bus stop.

Police said the boy was granted conditional bail and faced a children’s court on Friday.

Last year police said a youth allegedly hurled a paver at a Tweed bus, shattering a window.

A spokesperson for Kinetic, the bus operator, said the company was “deeply concerned” by recent incidents and that it was supporting drivers and the local police.

“Bus drivers play an important role in the community and everyone has the right to feel safe and confident when catching the bus,” the spokesperson said.

“Kinetic employs external security and CCTV is in place on buses with any criminal behaviour reported immediately to police.

“We will continue to work closely with police, Transport for New South Wales and industry partners to best support our drivers and ensure safety on Tweed buses.”

The incidents have allegedly occurred around the Tweed Heads region. Picture: David Clark

The Transport Workers Union’s Queensland political and campaigns manager, Joshua Millroy, said the union was aware of the “constant risk” bus drivers faced performing a public service.

“Through pressure from the union, we are now seeing full driver safety cabins being rolled out across the Gold Coast and Tweed to provide protection for our drivers,” he said.

“Our members have been calling out for increased security services, police presence and penalties against young offenders who engage in anti-social behaviour on our buses.”

Originally published as Ex-prison guard makes frightening admission