A senior British Transport Police officer has praised Northumbria’s Project Shield for helping drive down crime and improve passenger safety across the rail network.

Superintendent David Rams, who met with Police and Crime Commissioner Susan Dungworth in North Tyneside last week hailed Project Shield a ‘first of its kind’ collaborative approach that he believes is really benefiting train passengers in the Northumbria Police force area.

Susan, who launched the project with partners last summer pledged her continued support to working with public transport providers to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) and crime – as outlined in her Police and Crime Plan for safer streets and stronger communities.

British Transport Police has long maintained a close relationship with Northumbria Police working together and drawing in support, planning for major events and responding to incidents. Project Shield has helped enhance this further and since its launch last year has funded an additional 7000 patrol hours and various joint operations.

Heightened visibility and collaborative work through the project has helped achieve impressive results with data from the latest quarter showing a 28% reduction in ASB across the transport hotspot, compared to the same quarter the previous year. There has also been a promising reduction in serious violence this year too, with incident numbers down 22% compared to the same period in the previous year.

As part of their partnership discussions, they also spoke about other shared concerns including county lines and the rise in the number of reports of violence against women and girls on public transport up and down the country.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Susan Dungworth: “British Transport Police may have a very specific and unique beat focusing on the safety and security of passengers – but these are people moving in and around our region – residents, commuters and visitors.  And so, we have a lot of shared priorities and focus areas, and I really believe the more joined up we are, the more benefits we will reap – boosting feelings of safety for our passengers and improving community confidence overall.

“Recognising the need to ensure transport safety is a priority here in Northumbria – that’s why we committed to making it a targeted hotspot for Project Shield and this is continuing as we plan the next phase of work. The project has helped deliver some real reductions in both ASB and serious violence, that both David and I very much welcome, I am keen to explore more ways we can work together to address issues and deliver safer stations and trains as well as streets.”

BTP Superintendent David Rams said: “The public’s safety is our number one priority, and we work tirelessly to protect everyone’s journeys on the railway network. We are aware that every offence is one too many and we work relentlessly alongside our policing partners and the rail industry to create a hostile environment for crime on the network,

“We have officers across the rail network around the clock, at stations and on trains, to detect and deter crime and to reassure the public.

“Everyone has the right to travel safely and peacefully and we encourage anyone who experiences anything that disrupts this to report it to us by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40. In an emergency, always dial 999.”

Assistant Chief Constable Andy Hill, of Northumbria Police, said: “Everyone should feel safe and secure while using public transport in our region and we are proud of the part we are playing in reducing ASB incidents on the network.

“Project Shield continues to be an important operation in tackling crime across our communities and alongside partners we are committed to doing everything we can to keep the North East the welcoming place it is for all to live, work and visit.

“Through increased patrols and engagement activity right across the Force area, we aim to build on these encouraging results in the coming weeks and months.

“Please remember, if you need us we are here for you.”

ENDS