Six Arrests During MPS Operation on Buses In Wandsworth

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for various offences including theft and fare evasion

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Transport Operational Command Unit South West team carried out an extensive, high visibility public reassurance operation across Wandsworth Hammersmith & Kensington on 17th June.

The whole of Transport Operational Command Unit South West Team Police Officer and Police Community Support Officers were involved in 'bus hopping' patrols across the three boroughs, between 07.00 and 23.00.

They regularly engaged with passengers and bus staff to provide reassurance and drive down the fear of crime. MPS figures show that crime generally is falling, particularly on London buses. The Transport Operational Command Unit frequently carries out successful reassurance operations and patrols on the bus network to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, crime to make public feel safer. During the operation the officers also supported a Transport for London Revenue Protection Inspection (RPI) operation, which took place at the junction of Garrett Lane and Wimbledon Road in Wandsworth.

A team of nine RPIs were supported by eight uniformed Transport Operational Command Unit officers. A total of 1,500 passengers on 44 buses were checked on the routes 44, 77 and 270.

As a result, seven penalty fares were issued and 11 people were put forward for potential prosecution for fare evasion. Police officers arrested three people during the operation, which took place between 10.00 and 12.30. The Transport OCU was set up in 2002 in partnership with, and funded by Transport for London with whom it has a special partnership agreement.

Its intelligence led police teams help make the travelling public safer by reducing bus-related crime through and tackling violent and anti-social behaviour.

Chief Superintendent Joe Royle, Transport Operational Command Unit said:
"The Transport Operational Command Unit is working together to keep London moving safely. "We are in the business of tackling crime and anti-social behaviour on London's bus network, as well as providing hi-visibility reassurance and driving down the fear of crime."The concerns of the travelling public are important to us and as there is every indication from them that our policing presence on the bus network is proving popular we shall continue to carry out this kind of operation.

"Steve Burton, Director of Community Safety and Enforcement Policing at TfL said:

"The joint operations between our revenue inspectors and the police are beneficial to both organisations, as around one in ten fare evaders are wanted for another crime. The fact that there were only six arrests over 16 hours on the network is good news because we are making the buses in London a hostile environment for criminals.

"This is due to more and more uniformed officers out and about on the buses, reassuring passengers and clamping down on all types of crime in every borough in London."

June 24, 2008