New efforts to tackle public transport crime and disorder

Date published: 20/04/2006

Greater Manchester's public transport operators will meet with the police and local government officers on Monday 24 April to discuss new ways of tackling crime and anti-social behaviour.

The conference, which has been arranged by GMPTE, will take place at the City of Manchester Stadium. More than 100 people from across the county are expected to attend.

The event aims to develop new and innovative solutions to tackle public transport crime and disorder by building up close links between different organisations.

The conference will be opened by the chairman of Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority, Councillor Roger Jones. He said: "Public transport is an extremely safe way to travel. However, vandalised stations, shelters and vehicles make passengers feel worried as well as costing millions of pounds in repair bills.

"We want more and more people to regularly use public transport but we'll only be able to encourage people out of their cars if they believe they'll be safe. Public transport crime costs the operators substantial amounts of money and can impact on their ability to deliver services to the public. People can be prevented from getting out and about if services are withdrawn due to crime and anti-social behaviour.

"I hope Monday's event will lead to stronger partnerships being built up with everyone involved in tackling crime on public transport."

Earlier this year, transport bosses in Salford were able to reinstate a popular bus service following the success a new initiative aimed at tackling crime and anti-social behaviour. The 36 evening service, operated by First, stopped running along Kenyon Way in Little Hulton in December 2002 after buses were persistently vandalised.

GMPTE worked closely with the bus company, Salford City Council and the Salford Division of Greater Manchester Police to develop a scheme that would tackle problems at an early stage so that the service could go back on the road.
It is hoped that similar initiatives to the Salford Agreement For Ensuring Safer Travel (SAFEST) will be developed as a result of Monday's event.