EXTRA police and community safety officers will be riding the rails and standing at stations across the Northumbria Police force area this half term, in a bid to help tackle anti-social behaviour and serious violence.
The school holidays can be a busy time for the police and transport partners. The region’s transport network is well-used linking up friends and connecting families to key attractions like the coast, Eldon Square and the Metro Centre.
To help prevent crime and nuisance behaviours, the Project Shield initiative, funded through Police and Crime Commissioner Susan Dungworth’s office is delivering additional patrols throughout the week to increase visibility, promote engagement and deal with any required law enforcement.
It means public transport users can expect to see more Northumbria Police officers and staff from British Transport Police, Nexus and Stagecoach on patrols across the network, especially in the evenings, to help crackdown on anti-social behaviour and ensure safer journeys for everyone.
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said: “Since its launch, Project Shield is having a real impact driving down ASB down in target areas and building community confidence – and the transport network is a key focus area for us.
“A greater policing presence over half term reassures people travelling on our public transport and means there is more resource on hand to deter nuisance behaviours and also catch those responsible for causing misery and harm in our communities too.
“Across the transport network, there is a really positive partnership approach and on the whole, we have a safe transport system, but we need to keep working hard to reduce crime and put a stop to low level disorder and as we have seen before, Project Shield makes a real difference.”
Chief Superintendent Joanne Park-Simmons, of Northumbria Police, said: “As a Force, we will not tolerate anti-social behaviour or serious violence at any time of the year in our communities.
“Alongside our partnership organisations, we are making significant inroads in tackling this kind of criminality through Project Shield, while also engaging with members of the public to offer reassurance and act upon their concerns around crime and ASB.
“We want everyone enjoying their time off this half term to do so safely and ask that anyone who does notice any anti-social behaviour to please contact us so we can take the necessary action to address it.”
British Transport Police Inspector Mary-Anne Snowden said: “Project Shield continues to be a great opportunity for us to work with policing and transport partners to help keep the railway safe.
“The safety of the public is our number one priority and initiatives like this help reassure passengers and offer us the opportunity to engage with them about any concerns they may have.
“We continue to increase high-visibility patrols in hotspot areas to detect and deter crime and encourage the public to report any crimes or concerns on the rail network to us by calling 0800 405040, and to save our discreet text-to-report number 61016 just in case they need us.”
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