Drop in crime on the buses

ON patrol . . . bus station crime is down

CRIME and anti-social behaviour has dropped by 42 per cent at bus stations across Greater Manchester.

Reported incidents have fallen from an average of 25 each week from September, 2006-07 to 15 at the region’s 21 stations from September 2007/8.

Passengers make nearly 614,000 journeys on buses in Greater Manchester every day making it the most popular form of public transport.

Councillor Ian MacDonald is chairman of the Transport Network Committee on Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority.

He said: “I’m pleased to see that crime and anti-social behaviour is continuing to fall at bus stations.

“We introduced a new patrol and response team in 2006 and it’s clear that they’re having a big impact.

“The security officers spend an average of 55 hours patrolling bus stations each week, and board more than 170 buses. We realise there’s still a lot of work that needs to be done to reassure passengers about safety on public transport.

“These latest figures show were heading in the right direction.”

Crime and anti-social behaviour on buses fell by 9 per cent last year. An average of 64 incidents a week were reported up to September, 2008, compared with 70 a week during the previous year.

Councillor Keith Whitmore, vice chairman of the authority, added: “Improving passenger safety and security remains a key priority for the Passenger Transport Authority this year.

“Using buses remains a safe way to travel and the presence of the security officers on the network is reassuring passengers.

“I am pleased their work is continuing to get results. We will also continue to work in partnership with Greater Manchester Police to improve safety further.”

The Patrol and Response team was set up in autumn, 2006, and is funded by GMPTA and the Greater Manchester Bus Operators Association.

The majority of incidents the security officers attend involve anti-social behaviour such as littering and vandalism.