Safety and security on London's transport system will be at the forefront of a new initiative launched today by the Mayor, Boris Johnson, Met Commissioner, Sir Ian Blair and Transport Commissioner, Peter Hendy. For the first time, high visibility teams of crime fighters will be dedicated entirely to policing bus hubs and the immediate vicinity, confronting crime and anti-social behaviour as it happens and reassuring the travelling public.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Safety and security on London’s transport system will be at the forefront of a new initiative launched today by the Mayor, Boris Johnson, Met Commissioner, Sir Ian Blair and Transport Commissioner, Peter Hendy.
For the first time, high visibility teams of crime fighters will be dedicated entirely to policing bus hubs and the immediate vicinity, confronting crime and anti-social behaviour as it happens and reassuring the travelling public.
An additional 440-uniformed officers will be used to establish the new teams. Each team will made up of one sergeant, one police constable and seven PCSOs. They will be supported by 1,600 Special Constables.
The new teams will be deployed into a variety of interchanges across the capital, specifically targeted at those areas experiencing the greatest problems.
MPS Commissioner Sir Ian Blair said:
“We are extremely grateful to the Mayor and Transport for London for providing additional funding which has allowed us to enhance the service we already provide to London.
“Building on the success of the MPS Safer Transport Teams and Safer Neighbourhood Teams, this additional resource will allow us to provide extra security and safety on the transport network to make using public transport as safe and enjoyable experience as possible.
London Mayor, Boris Johnson said:
“I was elected Mayor because of my commitment to work tirelessly with all communities to put a stop to the violent crime and anti-social behaviour that is devastating so many lives and families across London.
“Recent tragic events have further highlighted the need to get a grip on crime, and the creation of these new teams, with some 440 new officers, is a crucial part of our strategy for taking back our public spaces, cutting so-called “minor crime” and antisocial behaviour, and increasing people’s sense of safety.
“This is about ensuring that Londoners can travel safely around the city, and that they can do so in confidence, reassured by a visible police presence from the moment they leave their doors, to when they are waiting for their bus, through to when they travel home at night.”
Transport Commissioner, Peter Hendy said:
"These new policing teams will make a real and visible difference to the safety and security of our bus passengers. They will also support the police Safer Transport Teams, already in place, to concentrate on local priorities while out and about on the buses.
"While overall the bus network is a low crime environment, it is clear that more must be done to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour. The new teams at transport hubs like West Croydon bus station will provide welcome reassurance to our staff and passengers alike." Len Duvall, Chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority, said: “This is a logical extension to the work already undertaken to ensure passenger safety across the public transport network and will be welcomed by all political parties and communities in London.
“The 630 neighbourhood teams of police officers and police community support officers working throughout London have already proved highly effective in deterring and detecting crime.
“These additional transport teams will bring greater confidence to the travelling public and to the men and women who work on our buses, trams and trains.
“It is the right of everyone to travel and work in safety, without the fear of being the victim of crime. This is a significant step towards making London safer for all.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Implementation will be over 12 months with an initial pilot at three sites – West Croydon, Wood Green ( Haringey ) and Canning Town ( Newham ).
Implementation will be achieved through three phases:
May to August 2008: Teams of a Sergeant, PC and 7 PCSOs will provide an immediate change and create the time to recruit and train the new teams.
September to December 2008: Fully established teams at the three sites. During this time a major programme of recruitment, training and implementation will be undertaken.
January 2009 to June 2009: Roll out across London at the rate of 6 teams a month.
In this financial year, the cost of these new teams will be £11.3m, which is jointly funded by TfL and the MPS. The MPS contribution within this figure is £2.1m with TfL contributing £9.2m.
Current policing and security on London's bus network:
The MPS Transport Operational Command Unit ( TOCU ), funded by TfL, is made up of 1,200 uniformed officers patrolling on and around the bus network.
Safer Transport Teams ( STTs ), funded by TfL and the Home Office, have seen 440 officers deployed to 21 outer London boroughs since last year.
TfL has installed CCTV on every London bus. There are now between 55-60,000 cameras on the fleet of 8,000 buses. Every bus driver also has direct radio contact in their cab to the London Buses central control room where TfL operators work alongside Metropolitan Police officers.
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