Four officers have commenced patrols across Stoke-on-Trent’s bus network to help deter and reduce anti-social behaviour.
Daily Focus reported in November about plans to invest £500,000 of government funding on transport safety.
The primary role of the new transport safety officers (TSOs) is to be a presence to deter, educate and prevent anti-social behaviour, and to provide reassurance to bus users – but they will have powers of enforcement to issue fixed penalty notices to deal with nuisance behaviour.
Staffordshire Police’s Chief Inspector Laura Davies, commander for the Stoke North Local Policing Team, said at a launch event: “No one should suffer from fear, intimidation, abuse or violence on our public transport network and so we welcome today’s introduction of Transport Safety Officers.
“We will work with Stoke-on-Trent City Council to ensure public transport users feel safe and confident and use proactive neighbourhood policing to solve the root causes of crime and anti-social behaviour on the transport network.”
Hanley and Longton bus stations are among the areas the officers will patrol.
They have all gone through extensive training and spent time shadowing TSOs from Transport for West Midlands prior to beginning work in the city.
The intention is now to recruit up to six officers, who will initially patrol for 15 months.
Councillor Majid Khan cabinet member for community safety and resilience, said: “It is great news we now have these transport safety officers in place. We hope this will reduce the overall incidents of anti-social behaviour on and around the public transport network in Stoke-on-Trent and that it will provide general reassurance, particularly for more vulnerable members of society, including the elderly, young persons and women.
“Promoting the use of public transport across the city is a big priority for the administration.
“We have recently added extra journeys on a number of bus routes so that residents can enjoy improved access to work, healthcare, retail and much more. It is all part of our wider vision of creating a healthier, wealthier, safer, greener, cleaner and fairer city for all.”
To find out more or to apply for a TSO job, click here.
