Bus station crime cut by two fifths

Two members of the Patrol and Response Unit on duty at a Greater Manchester bus station.

Reported incidents of crime and antisocial behaviour at Greater Manchester’s bus stations have been cut by 42% in the past year, according to the latest statistics.

Throughout GMPTE’s 21 bus stations, which include Rochdale and Middleton, reported incidents dropped from an average of 25 a week in September 2007 to 15 a week in September 2008.

Passengers make nearly 614,000 journeys on buses in Greater Manchester every day, making it the most used form of public transport.

Councillor Ian Macdonald, Chairman of the Transport Network Committee on Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority, said: “I’m pleased to see that crime and antisocial behaviour is continuing to fall at bus stations.

“We introduced a new Patrol and Response team in 2006 and it’s clear that they’re having a big impact. The security officers spend an average of 55 hours patrolling bus stations each week, and board more than 170 buses.

“We realise there’s still a lot of work that needs to be done to reassure passengers about safety on public transport. These latest figures show were heading in the right direction and we’ll continue to tackle this issue in the future.”

Crime and antisocial behaviour on buses also fell by nine percent last year. An average of 64 incidents a week were reported up to September 2008, compared to 70 a week during the previous year.

Vice Chair of the Authority, Councillor Keith Whitmore, added: “Improving passenger safety and security remains a key priority for the Passenger Transport Authority this year.

“Using buses remains a safe way to travel and the presence of the security officers on the network is reassuring passengers. I am pleased their work is continuing to get results.

“We will also continue to work in partnership with Greater Manchester Police to improve safety further.” 

The Patrol and Response team was set up in autumn 2006 and is funded by GMPTA and the Greater Manchester Bus Operators Association. The majority of incidents the security officers attend involve antisocial behaviour, ranging from littering to vandalism.

The latest figures about bus crime and antisocial behaviour were recorded between 11 September 2007 and 10 September 2008.