Specials to ride on the buses

ALL aboard . . . some of the bus staff who have become specials constables

Bus staff from Oldham-based First Manchester have become special constables and their beat is . . . the buses.

They have joined colleagues from Stagecoach and GMPTE to spend one shift a week working on bus routes in the voluntary police officer role as Buswatch specials.

They have been trained in law, communications and self-defence before being given a police uniform — and all the powers and authority of a regular officer.

Matt Davies, operations director for First Manchester said: “Although incidents of crime on public transport are few and far between, passenger safety is our number one priority. The introduction of Buswatch special constables will provide our customer and employees with increased confidence and act as a powerful deterrent to anti-social behaviour.”

Stagecoach Manchester managing director Mark Threapleton said: “We are delighted to be part of this new scheme and we are confident that it will significantly enhance the deterrent to the small minority of people whose anti-social behaviour causes anxiety and inconvenience to the majority of our passengers.”

Councillor Keith Whitmore, chairman of Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority, said: “Buses are a very safe way to travel and incidents of anti-social behaviour are rare. Despite this, there is a still a perception that bus travel isn’t always safe.”

Greater Manchester Police Chief Insp Haydn Roberts said: “The Buswatch special constableswill target crime and disorder hotspots to reduce crime and increase public confidence when travelling on buses.”