Travel crime falls by 25 per cent

CRIME and anti-social behaviour on public transport in Oldham has plummeted by more than a quarter in the past year.

Delighted transport chiefs say the improved figures demonstrate that catching the bus, train or tram is a safe way to travel.

Figures from the Crime Reduction On Public Transport (CROPT) initiative shows that reported crime in the borough fell by 25.6 per cent in 2007-08 compared to the previous year. Across Greater Manchester, the fall was 23 per cent.

At bus stations there has been a 34 per cent decrease, on bus services the fall is 6 per cent and on Metrolink it has dropped by 23 per cent. The majority of incidents reported relate to criminal damage and vandalism.

Councillor John Dillon, Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority spokesperson for Oldham, said: “These figures reaffirm the fact that instances of crime on public transport are rare and that it is a safe way to travel.

“We now have a Patrol and Response Unit for the bus network and more safety officers than ever before are travelling on Metrolink. Our targeted initiatives are also having the desired effect.”