A teenager who allegedly spat at a bus driver in south-east London during the coronavirus lockdown has been arrested.

The 18-year-old suspect boarded the bus at around 1am at Broadway, Bexleyheath on March 25.

He tried to pay his fare with a bank card but it would not process.

Police said the bus driver was spat at after telling the teenager he could not travel on the bus unless he paid using an alternative option.

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The suspect was arrested on suspicion of common assault and taken to a south London police station, where he remains.

The victim collected evidence in a testing kit that Transport for London (TfL) staff are provided with for incidents such as these.

An investigation was launched by officers from the Met’s Roads and Transport Policing Command.

Bus CCTV also provided an image of the suspect which was identified by Met Police.

This identification was corroborated by DNA results from the testing kit used by the victim.

Chief Inspector Dave Monk, of the Met’s Roads and Transport Policing Command, said: “This is a vile crime at any time, but is even more abhorrent given the concerns around the risk of contracting coronavirus.”