Manchester's Metrolink CCTV to be monitored 24/7 following a rise in crime
Mayor for Policing and Crime, Bev Hughes, is working with Greater Manchester Police and the Travelsafe Partnership to reassure the public on the safety of the travel network.
Security cameras on Manchester's Metrolink will now be monitored 24/7 after a number of serious crimes and incidents of anti-social behaviour on the network.
Greater Manchester Police has confirmed that it's providing extra patrols in areas where the incidents have occurred, and at the same time the Greater Manchester Travelsafe Partnership (TSP) continues to bolster its team including Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), TravelSafe Officers, Inspectors and Sergeants.
The 24-hour control centre operation will also support greater reliability on the transport network as one of the key measures from the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Congestion Deal.
The new system will enable a much quicker and more coordinated response to live incidents and issues and will support the TSP, which uses intelligence and crime and antisocial behaviour data from contributing operators to help target patrols in necessary areas at key times.
The Deputy Mayor said: “The move to a 24 hours a day, seven days a week control centre is excellent news and I hope it offers additional reassurance to passengers by reinforcing the important point that public transport is a safe and secure way to travel.
“More TSP staff and officers are out on the transport network, particularly in the evenings and at weekends, complementing the vital work already underway which helps keep our communities safe.
“These measures send a clear message to those committing crime and antisocial behaviour on our transport network that we are always watching; we can and will respond immediately to apprehend those responsible.”
Chief Inspector Colette Rose from Greater Manchester Police heads the TravelSafe Partnership. She said: “We are working hard with our partners to ensure that the travel network is one that the public feel safe and secure using. The TravelSafe team ensure that appropriate patrols are in place in areas where we know there are issues with antisocial behaviour and we will continue develop a long term plan to reduce this crime.
“As a Partnership we actively work with schools where we deliver presentations on antisocial behaviour and its effects on the public and wider community. I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to parents and ask that they appropriately educate their children about the consequences of their behaviour on others.”