EXTRA police patrols being rolled out across the public transport network, funded through Project Shield, to help as part of ongoing strategies to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).

The additional police and partner patrols are there to help increase visibility, promote engagement and provide law enforcement as required.

So far, during the month of February, British Transport Police have made several VAWG related arrests. A man was charged with Observing a Person Doing a Private Act in the female toilets at Newcastle Central Station. Another was charged with Outraging Public Decency following an incident that took place in a food outlet in the station.

Now, VAWG focused patrols have been introduced on key routes connecting people to nightlife across the force area and aim to help improve feelings of safety and to deter offenders.

Project Shield is a collaborative initiative launched by Northumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth. It brings local authority, transport and policing partners together in a joint effort to tackle serious violence and ASB which can include VAWG related crimes.

VAWG on public transport might include sexual harassment, intimidation and non-consensual physical contact. These can all make women feel fearful and sometimes lead them to alter plans or even avoid public transport altogether.

Northumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner says women regularly tell her about VAWG related experiences on transport and national figures suggest 72% of women, compared to 40% of men are concerned about sexual harassment on public transport.

This is why the Safer Transport Northumbria initiative has set up a VAWG working group which brings together Northumbria Police, British Transport Police, North East Mayoral Combined Authority, Nexus, Northern Rail, Stagecoach, Go North East and Arriva together, to take a joined up approach to tackle VAWG across the transport network. The additional patrols through Project Shield are just one example of ongoing efforts across all partners to improve feelings of safety, target predators and bring about lasting change. Other ongoing work includes training for transport staff and a range of educational programmes that help tackle misogyny throughout society.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said: “How safe people feel directly impacts whether people feel comfortable using buses, trains, and stations. Nobody should change routes or alter travel plans due to fear. We are very aware of this in Northumbria and are working closely with partners to ensure we are doing all we can to improve people’s feelings of safety particularly in the late hours – that’s why my office has funded these additional patrols through Project Shield.  We know a strong police presence builds confidence and encourages the reporting of incidents.”

Local Inspector for British Transport Police Michael Forster said: “No woman or girl should ever feel uncomfortable on the rail network. We work tirelessly to keep every journey safe, and our officers regularly collaborate with partners through initiatives like Operation Shield to protect passengers. This proactive policing is supported by our campaigns encouraging passengers and witnesses to report incidents, every report helps us to keep people safe. We take all reports of unwanted sexual behaviour seriously. No report is too small, and sexual harassment is never your fault. We urge the public to save our text number, 61016, so they can discreetly contact us whenever they need to.”

Erika Allen, Quality Health Safety Security and Environment (QHSSE) Director at Nexus, said: “These extra patrols across the local public transport network are hugely welcome as we build on the work to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour. Nexus has a key part to play in supporting the police and our local authority partners in keeping the public safe and secure when using the local bus and Metro system. We fully support the strategy to tackle Violence and Intimidation Against Women and Girls across local communities. This builds on the work we have already done to improve safety and security on the, including the roll out of our dedicated security teams on Metro and investment in new CCTV.”

Chief Inspector Phil Baker, of Northumbria Police, said: “The extra patrols play a key part in ensuring that people feel safe when using the transport network in our region. It also shows the overall benefit Project Shield has to our communities through working together with our partner organisations to identify crime trends and take the necessary action. We understand that women and girls can at times feel wary when using public transport and we will continue to do our utmost to help people to feel as comfortable as possible while on a bus or train. We would also encourage anyone who spots anything suspicious on the transport network to approach an officer on duty. Please remember that we are here to help.”

ENDS