NORTHUMBRIA Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, wants to make Northumberland, Tyne and Wear the safest region for using public transport and is calling on passengers to help steer plans with the launch of a new survey.

A Safer Transport Northumbria reporting app, street pastors on the travel network and public awareness campaigns around unwanted behaviours and harassment are just some of the measures already in place as part of the Commissioner’s long-term strategy for safer transport. Kim is now wanting to hear from local people to help drive future change and improvements for the region.

Working closely with transport operators, councils and Northumbria Police, the Commissioner is wanting to spell out her commitment to keeping transport users safe by deterring and preventing crime and educating people on unacceptable behaviours and how to report them.

Earlier this year Kim launched a Safer Streets survey where she invited local people to tell her about where and when they felt uncomfortable or even unsafe. Feedback from this survey highlighted transport as an area of concern, particularly for women, and Kim wants to find out more so important improvements can be made.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “Public transport is the lifeblood of our region. It brings us all together with friends and family and gives us access to jobs, shops and all sorts of opportunities. People want transport that’s affordable, reliable and crucially, safe. The need to feel safe, and be safe.

“With a responsibility for policing I recognise that the safety and wellbeing of all those who use our buses and metros– we are talking thousands of passengers every single day. And so what I really want from people is the detail – which stations and stops need some extra attention and where routes are becoming a concern. All feedback will go towards updating my Police and Crime Plan, the key document that turns your priorities into actions for Northumbria Police across the region.

“Given the size of our region, incidents of harassment and antisocial behaviour remain relatively low, but they do happen and so we must continue to build on the work already being done to keep the networks safe. Enforcement, education, engagement – it all matters and I appreciate all the insight we can get from doing this survey.”

Residents can complete the survey here:  https://vru.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/pcptransportcon