Bobbies on buses root out louts

BOBBIES have been on the buses to drive down anti-social behaviour on public transport.

As part of Operation Gateway, officers joined forces with First Bus and GMPTE to target popular routes in Lees, Greenfield, Uppermill and Ashton Road.

Since the operation started in January, officers have spoken to more than 1,000 passengers and made one arrest as well as seizing 38 litres of alcohol and 48 cans of lager from teenagers.

During the Saddleworth Band Contest last month, 133 litres of booze were seized and 10 teenagers were taken home as officers boarded 19 buses and spoke to 546 youths about their behaviour.

Sgt Jim Kenworthy said: “The public has told us that anti-social behaviour is one of the main issues affecting quality of life.

“As part of our commitment to the Policing Pledge we have listened to those concerns and launched this operation, making sure that we tackle the issues that matter to our communities.

“We are determined to ensure that people feel safe in their communities, and that includes feeling safe on public transport which provides a vital lifeline to many members of the community.

“We are working in partnership with the community and bus inspectors to make life difficult for people who want to indulge in criminal behaviour against bus passengers, bus drivers and the buses themselves.”