Safer journey on trams and buses

A CRIME-FIGHTING unit, set up to make Greater Manchester’s buses and trams safer, has enjoyed significant success in its first two months.

Under the three-year pilot scheme, a 16-strong team comprising police constables, police community support officers, special constables and security personnel, provide regular patrols on the region’s travel networks.

Since its launch on April 1, the Travel safe Unit has provided a presence on 1,652 vehicles as well as making 23 arrests for a variety of offences.

More than 1,000 penalty notices have been issued and more than 1,000 invalid tickets have been identified.

Led by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and Greater Manchester Police, the unit uses crime and anti-social behaviour data to deploy patrols in specific areas at key times. Patrolling staff wear body cameras.

The scheme has been funded for three years but will be subject to formal annual reviews and regular scrutiny.

TfGM Metrolink director Peter Cushing said: “Public transport is a safe way to travel and the purpose of the unit is to help reinforce and maintain that.

“The initiative is allowing regional public transport operators to work in closer collaboration, sharing intelligence and targeting activity, and I think the results so far show that this is a positive approach.”

Chief Superintendent John O’Hare said: “Enabling commuters to travel safely and without fear of crime is a key priority for us all.

“It is pleasing to see the Travelsafe Unit has already begun to make a difference across the transport infrastructure.

“By working together we can provide a more efficient service to members of the public and send a clear message to offenders that they are not welcome on any of our transport networks.”