Kim McGuinness’ pushes for safer public transport with seven-figure investment

More than £1m worth of projects to drive down crime on public transport across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear have been rolled out through the Safer Transport Northumbria Project since it was launched by Police Commissioner Kim McGuinness two years ago.

Welcomed by both passengers and transport bosses, the raft of work dedicated to improving how safe people feel when travelling throughout the region has included enhanced policing operations, youth engagement patrols, days of action and development of a reporting app. It has all been designed to boost policing efforts and improve people’s experience of public transport in the area.

With the help of organisations like Edge North East and Inspire Youth, who are dedicated to working with young people to tackle youth violence and criminal exploitation, the project has engaged with 3210 young people on identified routes and stops. This work has also been amplified by patrols from the street pastors, Nexus and local councils who have engaged with nearly 7,000 more people.

Enhanced policing operations funded by the project aiming to improve police visibility and deter crime have also reported notable success. One example is Operation Princess, which since its launch has seen theft offences fall 78 per cent and public order down by 68 per cent.

Last month Kim McGuinness also announced she would be helping fund security teams on most of the Metro’s evening train services. This is to help people feel safer when making journeys after dark and is a step towards reducing ASB on board as well as at the platforms and stations. This move brings the security presence on the Metro to the highest level it has ever been.

Northumbria police and crime commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “Reliable, affordable, and crucially, safe that’s what people tell me they want from our public transport services.

“Metro bosses say this is the highest security presence they’ve had so we really are delivering on making travel safer and people are starting to tell me things are feeling better. Our Metro connects our communities and links people to opportunities, and it is so important that people feel safe and comfortable when on board.

“Sustainable transport options like the Metro and our buses need investing in to make travel safer in the North East. I have made this my mission and I’m working with others to map out more plans and solutions to keep bettering our public transport – this is just the start of the journey. I will keep fighting for funding to achieve this because it matters to local people and will help our region thrive.”

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner is currently waiting on Government go-ahead to make a further one million pounds worth of investment to tackle ASB across the North East’s transport networks.

The Police Commissioner has previously spoken out on how cuts to policing, public transport and councils over the last 13 years have had consequences, with rising ASB being one of them. She is determined to turn this around and is bidding for the investment that can make it happen.

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily

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