Volunteer 'police'to patrol transport network

PUBLIC transport chiefs are recruiting a force of volunteer police out of fears that the regular service will not be able to provide effective protection for the bus and tram network when spending cuts take effect in Yorkshire.

Staff will be allowed to serve as special constables as part of their working week under a scheme being pioneered by South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE), the body responsible for the county’s public transport system, and at least one bus company.

But the scheme has raised concerns both politically and from the police themselves.

Traditionally special constables volunteer to work in their own time but the new force of officers will be allowed to police the public transport system with time which will count towards their normal working week.

South Yorkshire Police have worked closely with SYPTE and transport companies in recent years, resulting in a sharp decline in numbers of crime and disorder incidents.

One of the keys to success has been the use of a police liaison officer to identify problems and organise police counter-tactics.

A new report states: “The aim is to develop a team of special constables to support the police liaison officer with operations and initiatives.

“This is important, as anticipating future financial constraints may affect the ability to obtain necessary police resources.”

The warning was made to South Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority, the political body which controls the PTE.

It highlights the potential reality of the impact of cuts facing police in the years ahead, as a result of the Government’s spending review.

Chief constables are braced for the impact of reductions announced in the Comprehensive Spending Review. South Yorkshire Police has already lost 200 officers from its roll.

Supt Eddie Murphy said the force was using special constables more effectively in mainstream policing work.

“This is about everyone jumping on board and helping,” he said, “SYPTE will give people time off to go and be a special.”

An SYPTE spokesman added: “If specials can come from a transport background, they are well placed to do that sort of job.”

Former Home Secretary and Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough MP David Blunkett said in principle the use of special constables was a “positive development” which he had encouraged while in office.

But he said: “However, that was at a time when we were expanding both the uniformed force and the development of PCSOs, meaning a combined increase of almost 20,000 personnel.

"The tragedy of the present situation is that the development of specials is in the context of draconian cutbacks, therefore not enhancing but replacing the existing service. I fear that this will be a substantial pattern for the immediate years ahead."

South Yorkshire Police Federation, representing rank-and file officers, has also raised concerns over the prospect of officer numbers falling to the point where outside organisations wanted to recruit specials for specific tasks.

Spokesman Insp Bob Pitt questioned how special constables could operate on the public transport system without being drawn into other incidents.

SYPTE is currently “encouraging” its staff to sign up and bus company Stagecoach has some employees going through the interview process.

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