CCTV puts brake on bus shelter vandals

VANDALISM of Oldham’s bus shelters has plummeted by almost half after CCTV cameras were installed.

The latest figures show that Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) has recorded a 45 per cent drop in reported incidents of damage to the borough’s shelters for the year ending this July.

The reduction follows the installation of CCTV in shelters across Greater Manchester — an initiative supported by the transport authority, local councils, Greater Manchester Police and shelter provider JC Decaux.

GMPTE’s interim service delivery director, Michael Renshaw, said: “I am pleased that we are now seeing significant reductions in bus shelter damage. It is vital that people feel safe when they use public transport.

“The steps we are taking to improve safety and security on the public transport network are having a real impact, and we aim to build on this.”

Shelters have been fitted with up to eight miniature cameras to record what is going on in and around it.

The cameras can be moved from shelter to shelter in order to target hotspot areas.

Images taken by the bus shelter cameras have led to police action.

Oldham police chief Caroline Ball said: “Mindless vandalism in Oldham will not be tolerated and we have been working extremely hard with our partners to achieve this significant reduction.

“Police officers are on the streets in hotspot areas to identify those responsible and bring them swiftly to justice.

“We take vandalism seriously as it can have a real impact on the morale and quality of life for people living in affected areas.

“The message to vandals is clear — we will catch you, and will have evidence to ensure you are convicted and appropriately punished.”

The majority of Greater Manchester’s 4,000 bus shelters are supplied and maintained by JC Decaux under contract to GMPTE.

Anyone who witnesses criminal behaviour at a bus shelter should contact Crimestoppers on 0800-555 111.

Vandalised stops and shelters should be reported to GMPTE on 0161-244 1720 or by sending an e-mail to busstop@gmpte.gov.uk. They will be made safe within 48 hours.