I realise in this day and age that confronting say an abusive person on say a bus or in public could prove to be the wrong thing to do but I would be interested how many people would confront say a yob mouthing off very abusively. I personally having judged the situation may confront. I am pretty sure the majority of passengers on the bus in my scenario would feel the same but wonder who would support me if I confronted the said yob!

The reason I ask is because there is strength in numbers and its one way of dealing with the issue which seems to be getting worse

Here's an amazing result when members of the public (schoolboys, no less!) chose to get involved - http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2006530650,00.html. Although obviously there's always a risk involved, I believe the majority of people would lend a hand in most situations.