Operation safebus cracks down on anti- social behaviour
Targeted police patrols will be working around Ealing Broadway station as part of a London wide scheme to tackle a seasonal peak in anti-social behaviour and crime on buses.
The autumn period traditionally sees an increase of around 20 per cent in bus-related crime, particularly around Halloween and Bonfire Night
Safebus is a four-week intensive operation with a high visibility Police presence on a number of bus routes and transport hubs across the Capital.
During the operation Police Officers and Police Community Support Officers will:
· Engage with young people;
· Provide high visibility patrols on transport routes and conduct after school patrols at schools and key areas;
· Conduct reassurance visits to schools and hold crime prevention discussions;
· Work with schools to ensure students’ oyster cards are registered and that mobile phones are property marked;
· Reassure the travelling public;
· Identify and deal with suspects of bus related crime;
· Reduce youth violence.
Although knife crime on the transport network is low, Safebus is also focusing on preventing knife crime in the wider community, using search arches and weapons sweeps to reassure transport users and further ensure the safety of the millions of people travelling around our network every day.
Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, said: “Like most people I enjoy this time of year and all the festivities, but antisocial and criminal behaviour on our transport network is not acceptable. When I became Mayor I pledged to make buses, trains and stations safer, and in the last year - in no small part thanks to the work of uniformed officers on our transport - crime on buses has fallen by 18 per cent across London.
“But there is still more to be done. Operations like Safebus are key in the fight to tackle specific areas of concern and enable us to send out a message that anti-social or dangerous behaviour will be dealt with.”
Commander Mark Gore, Safer Transport Command, said: “The MPS and its policing partners will not tolerate crime and anti-social behaviour on buses, at bus stops or anywhere else on the transport network.
“Operation Safebus is about setting a standard of good behaviour on the buses, and ensuring a pleasant travelling environment for young people and adults, by tackling the small minority of young people who cause crime and disorder.
“We want the travelling public to feel safe and secure when using the transport network, and our visible policing presence instils confidence, drives down crime and the fear of crime, and makes a positive impact to peoples’ journeys.
Steve Burton, Director of Transport for London’s Community Safety and Enforcement Policing Directorate, said:
“While crime on the bus network is low, we want to do everything we can to help Londoners enjoy themselves and travel safely during these autumnal nights. This is why we are supporting Operation Safe Bus, being run by the MPS Safer Transport Command with the aim of reassuring passengers, deterring criminal activity and tackling anti-social behaviour head-on.”
November 3rd, 2009