## Investigation Launched After Man Filmed Mother Breastfeeding on Manchester Bus
A young mother in Manchester has spoken out following an upsetting incident on public transport where she was covertly filmed by another passenger whilst breastfeeding her baby. The event, which has since prompted a police investigation, has raised new concerns over privacy, public decency, and the ongoing challenges faced by breastfeeding parents.
Hamidat Soliu, 27, was travelling with her four-month-old daughter on board a Bee Network bus heading from Manchester to Ashton when the incident unfolded. Ms Soliu, a healthcare assistant by profession, was on her way to visit a friend when her child began to cry. Like countless mothers before her, she chose to breastfeed her baby to comfort her, unaware of the ordeal that was about to ensue.
According to Hamidat, it was not until fellow passengers alerted her that she became aware of a man recording her on his mobile phone. Witnesses shouted out that he appeared to be zooming in on her chest, drawing the attention of others on the bus. Distressed by the realisation, Hamidat confronted the individual. She requested that any footage be deleted, but the man refused her request and would not allow her to check his device for confirmation.
In a heated exchange captured on Hamidat’s own phone, the man reportedly justified his actions by saying, “F*** off, you’re not touching my phone. Who do you think you are? You’re not the police. F*** off, who do you think you are? I’m English… and I live here.” His response quickly drew rebuke from other passengers, several of whom offered their support to the mother and challenged the man’s behaviour.
The situation escalated to the extent that the bus driver intervened, ultimately removing the man from the vehicle. The matter was subsequently reported to Greater Manchester Police, who are now investigating the events as a potential breach of privacy and public order. As of yet, no arrests have been made, and law enforcement considers it an isolated incident.
Reflecting on the experience, Hamidat described the ordeal as ‘horrible’, explaining how vulnerable and violated it made her feel. “All I wanted to do was feed my crying baby and not have my rights violated – or be told by someone that he has the right to violate them because he’s white,” she told reporters. Her comments highlight the intersection of public decency, personal freedom, and racial tensions that continue to spark debate in the UK.
Public reaction to the incident has been significant, particularly after Hamidat shared videos of her confrontation with the man on TikTok. The footage rapidly went viral, attracting more than 5.7 million views and sparking widespread discussion across social media. Many commended Hamidat for her resilience in standing up for herself, while others expressed their disappointment at the man’s behaviour, praising the bystanders who stood up in solidarity with her.
A spokesperson from Greater Manchester Police confirmed: “We are aware of footage that is circulating online in relation to an incident which occurred on a bus travelling from the city centre to Ashton. Officers from our Transport Unit have been in contact with the victim, and we are investigating all lines of enquiry. No arrests have been made at this stage and it is believed to be an isolated incident.”
Danny Vaughan, Chief Network Officer for Transport for Greater Manchester, also addressed the matter, stating: “Making public transport safer – and tackling gender-based violence in particular – is a key area of focus for the Greater Manchester TravelSafe Partnership. This was a clearly distressing incident for the passenger, and we will do whatever we can to support police with their investigation.”
This event has reignited conversations about women’s rights to breastfeed in public, the safety of vulnerable passengers on public transport, and the need for robust action when confronting inappropriate or intrusive behaviour. Police are appealing for anyone with information about the incident to contact them on 101, quoting log 2491 03/05/25, or to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.