Plans for more cops on buses revealed

10:03am Friday 16th May 2008

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Boris Johnson unveiled his plans to improve safety on public transport in West Croydon today.

The mayor, the Met's commissioner, Sir Ian Blair, and transport commissioner, Peter Hendy, announced 440 uniformed officers will be used to establish the new teams.

"This is about ensuring that Londoners can travel safely around the city."

Boris Johnson

Each team will consist of one sergeant, one PC and seven PCSOs, and the teams will be supported by 1,200 special constables.

The teams will be deployed in a variety of interchanges across London, particularly at the places with the most problems.

The scheme will be implemented over the next 12 months with three pilots at bus hubs in West Croydon, Wood Green, and Canning Town. They are due to be up and running by December.

Between next January and June the initiative will be rolled out across London at the rate of six teams a month.

At the launch Maureen Reynolds from West Croydon, who said she regularly uses the 289 bus service, told Mr Johnson he should try travelling on buses in the area, especially after children finish school each day.

"Why don't you jump on one of the buses and see what they are like with the kids?" she asked the mayor. "I'm just an ordinary person but it's terrible. Why don't you get on the buses and see what people have to put up with? It's not very nice."

Mr Johnson told her: "That's exactly the point of what we are trying to do today. Superhuman though I am I don't think I could solve the problem by myself."

Sir Blair said: "We are extremely grateful to the Mayor and Transport for London (TfL) for providing additional funding which has allowed us to enhance the service we already provide to London.

"Building on the success of the Met's safer transport teams and safer neighbourhoods teams, this additional resource will allow us to provide extra security and safety on the transport network to make using public transport as safe and enjoyable experience as possible."

Mr Johnson added: "I was elected Mayor because of my commitment to work tirelessly with all communities to put a stop to the violent crime and antisocial behaviour that is devastating so many lives and families across London.

"Recent tragic events have further highlighted the need to get a grip on crime, and the creation of these new teams, with some 440 new officers, is a crucial part of our strategy for taking back our public spaces, cutting so-called minor crime' and antisocial behaviour, and increasing people's sense of safety.

"This is about ensuring that Londoners can travel safely around the city, and that they can do so in confidence, reassured by a visible police presence from the moment they leave their doors, to when they are waiting for their bus, through to when they travel home at night."

Watch a video of the launch