Dedicated police officer to work on bus safety scheme

Sergeant Rachel Claughton has been appointed as transport liaison officer as part of a new partnership called Safer Transport West Yorkshire.

The body comprises West Yorkshire Police, the independent transport authority Metro and bus companies including Arriva, First, Stagecoach and Transdev.

It is hoped the new role will improve safety for passengers by driving down crime and anti-social behaviour on public transport.

Sergeant Claughton said: “All organisations signed up to Safer Transport West Yorkshire share the same strong commitment to keeping public transport free from crime and anti-social behaviour.

“The new partnership will ensure a wider understanding of the issues affecting the public transport network so we can intervene at an early stage as well as working to raise awareness of the consequences of such crimes and anti-social behaviour.”

The full-time role will involve working with all 47 of West Yorkshire Police’s neighbourhood policing teams to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour affecting the public transport network.

The transport liaison officer will work with the neighbourhood policing teams to investigate offences and will share up-to-date information with Metro and the bus companies thanks to the help of a dedicated analyst.

West Yorkshire Police said that this will allow the partnership to plan pro-active operations to tackle any potential hotspots or trends in crime or anti-social behaviour before they have the chance to escalate.

Metro chairman Councillor Chris Greaves, said: “Metro, West Yorkshire Police and the bus and train operators have worked closely over many years to ensure public transport remains safe.

“Only a tiny number of the 220 million bus and train journeys made each year in West Yorkshire are affected by anti-social or criminal behaviour but we think it is important that all passengers feel they can complete their journeys safely.”

Sergeant Claughton’s role has been made possible through funding from Metro and the 40 bus companies operating in West Yorkshire.