Bobbies on the Buses - A major Campaign Victory!

The new police team for Kingston’s buses have this week been welcomed by local Liberal Democrat MP, Edward Davey, who has long campaigned for safer transport.

Two teams of nine Police and Community Support Officers, supported by two sergeants and a PC, have this week begun work patrolling Kingston’s bus network and local train stations, as part of a new initiative to tackle anti-social behaviour and crime on public transport.[1] Local Liberal Democrat MP, Edward Davey, sees them as a vital next step in the efforts to encourage more people on to trains and buses and to make public transport safer.

 
Edward commented:

“This is the next vital step in dealing with anti-social behaviour and cutting crime. Having won extra bobbies on the beat, and seen bobbies on bikes in Berrylands and beyond, it’s great we’ll be seeing bobbies on the buses.

“I became concerned about increased problems on local buses nearly a year ago, particularly following the introduction of free travel for under 18s.

Having spoken to local police, I organised a special conference to discuss the matter with young people, a representative from the Greater London Authority and police officers.

“Young people were strong in their support for this idea, as they are most likely to be the victims of anti-social behaviour and crime when travelling on public transport.

It’s clear that many of the people causing trouble on buses in our area actually come from outside the Borough, so I hope local residents will be as delighted as I am by this initiative.”