Bus crime down 19% across West Midlands

Crime on and around the West Midland's bus network has plummeted by 19 per cent over the last year, new figures from the Safer Travel partnership reveal.This means that crime on and around the region’s bus network has fallen by 54.5 per cent over the last three years and excluding vandalism, there is now just one offence in every 126,187 bus rides.Safer Travel, which works to make bus journeys even safer for passengers by deterring crime and anti-social behaviour, said the reduction showed how the team’s operations and growing expertise since its launch five years ago were proving successful. Their ever growing intelligence database is also helping to pinpoint crime hotspots and persistent offenders.The figures from Safer Travel, a partnership between West Midlands Police, Safer Birmingham Partnership and Centro show a drop in bus crime last year of 32 per cent in Walsall, 28 per cent in Dudley, 28 per cent in Wolverhampton, 20 per cent in Birmingham, 12 per cent in Sandwell and 10 per cent in Solihull.Inspector Cate Webb-Jones, head of the Safer Travel Police Team, said: "These figures are very encouraging and show an ongoing decline in bus crime, but we will not rest here. We will continue to work hard to build on this success and reduce crime still further both on board buses and at stops and shelters. This will require us to work closely with our partners and to act on the vital intelligence provided by bus operators and, crucially, the travelling public."Increasing trust and confidence is one of my main objectives and our aim is for every commuter to travel in a safe environment, free from anti-social behaviour and crime."We rely on community intelligence and encourage members of the public to speak with our police teams and provide them with information about matters such as drugs misuse or criminal damage. Members of the public can also provide us with information via www.safertravel.info or via a text service on 07624 818332."Police Operations have involved a range of tactics including high visibility and covert police patrols, special transmitters which 'tap' into live bus CCTV, the deployment of a specially trained drugs sniffer dog to check passengers and the mounting of covert surveillance at crime hot spots.Cllr Jon Hunt, lead member for bus and highways on Centro, said: "It's good news that the investment in reducing crime and anti-social behaviour on the buses is paying off and congratulations are due to all."Some people may still have concerns and I would urge them not to suffer in silence but to let the Safer Travel Team know if there are problems on their buses."The team has also continued working with schools to raise awareness among pupils about personal safety and the effects of nuisance behaviour and crime.Tony Dallison, Safer Travel Manager for National Express West Midlands, added: "Last year more than 18,000 schoolchildren took part in a Safer Travel presentation which helps to prevent and deter crime on the bus network. These new figures are testament to the commitment of schools and colleges across the region who have partnered with us to ensure pupils travel safely and responsibly with fellow passengers."Bus users who want to report a non-urgent offence can phone West Midlands Police on 0345 113 5000 with information such as the number of the bus, the location where the offence happened and the time. In the unlikely case of an emergency people should phone 999 as usual.For more information about safer Travel visit: www.safertravel.info

Published 24th May 2010