HUNDREDS of extra patrols promised as part of a scheme of work to stamp out anti-social behaviour on the North East’s public transport are now underway.
Visible police patrols, more security staff and neighbourhood wardens will all play a part in co-ordinated efforts across the transport networks of Northumberland, Tyne and Wear. This latest announcement of tough action on the region’s transport is being delivered using funding secured by Police Commissioner Kim McGuinness.
Some of the region’s most used transport hubs including Gateshead Interchange, Haymarket and Eldon Square Interchange, South Shields Interchange and Witherwack Bus Station will all have heightened security and safety measures in place throughout the school summer holidays – news welcomed by many of the region’s Metro and bus users.
This policing hotspot action is being seen as is a continuation of determined efforts between transport partners to stop potential anti-social behaviour in its tracks and help people feel safe and secure when moving around the region. It will be data-led, intelligence driven policing to put a stop to any unwelcome rises in antisocial behaviour.
More than £1,624,160 has been invested in transport safety by Police Commissioner Kim McGuinness since 2021. Recently, Operation Princess was rolled out in the East Shields and Whitburn areas. This was in response to ASB and crime concerns raised by residents, commuters and shopkeepers. The operation saw acquisitive crime – where large groups were using the Metro to commit high value shoplifts fall by 81%. Public order offences also dropped 50% during the 6-week period. It is hoped the latest transport crackdown will replicate this success in other areas and lead to more arrests.
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “Boosting policing efforts and improving people’s experience of public transport in the area is something we are working really hard on as a region.
“There has been a whole raft of work happening and we’ve seen the results to match, and this hotspot funding is about doing more of what is working, what the region needs.”
She added: “People want, and deserve, to be able to move around our region safely. We know people want transport that’s affordable and reliable and they certainly want to be safe too. If we get public transport right, we can really improve lives, really improve the North East.”
Chief Superintendent Barrie Joisce, of Northumbria Police, said: “Tackling anti-social behaviour is a priority for the Force and this funding will compliment and help us build on the proactive work already ongoing at our region’s public transport hubs.
“Minimising and preventing anti-social behaviour is only possible by working together, and as ever, I’d like to thank all our partners and the public for their unwavering support.”
Metro Operations Director, Kevin Storey, said: “Extra policing on Metro and the wider public transport network is a really welcome step as we look to deal with anti-social behaviour across our communities.
“We continue to work closely with the police to prevent disorder and build customer confidence in using Metro. This means targeting crime, anti-social behaviour and fare evasion where it occurs. Safety and security is our top priority.
“Nexus invests £1m a year on policing Metro and this is backed up by our own investment in dedicated security team and customer support teams, who patrol at stations and onboard trains. We’ve also invested in new CCTV and body cameras for staff, and our new trains will have 42 more advanced CCTV cameras on board.”
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