All London boroughs will get a Safer Transport Team (STT) as part of the Mayor of London’s bid to cut crime across the capital and make people feel safer.
Officers will patrol buses, trains and tubes in the borough initially on an ad hoc basis, but as more intelligence is gathered about trouble routes, a planned approach will be developed.
It is hoped the initiative will stop crowds of children misbehaving on buses, stop bus drivers from feeling intimidated on late night routes, and reassure commuters.
Chief Superintendent David Bilson, of Hounslow Police, said: “The travelling public in Hounslow have a right to feel safe, secure and free from fear on public transport. We hope the introduction of Hounslow’s Safer Transport Team will provide reassurance.”
Reducing crime and fear of crime throughout the borough and to provide a safer living environment for all local people is a key objective of the Hounslow Plan, the Council’s four-year vision of development and improvement for the borough.
Cllr Phil Andrews, Hounslow Council lead member for housing and community safety, said: “We wholeheartedly welcome the introduction of the Safer Transport Team in Hounslow. Travelling on public transport should never be an intimidating or frightening experience, but for some people it can be because of inconsiderate and sometimes criminal behaviour. This initiative will make people feel safer.”
Hounslow’s team will consist of one sergeant, two police officers and 19 police and community safety officers. Sgt Siobhan Eliot will lead them.
The team will be divided up and work from three hubs, specifically Hounslow, Feltham and Chiswick. From there, they will be deployed on bus, tube and train routes.
Police research suggests the travelling public do not feel safe between 3pm and 6pm, while current intelligence suggests the H26 and 111 bus routes are most troublesome.
The project is funded by Transport for London (TFL). As part of this initiative, Hounslow Community Safety Partnership – a collaboration of organisations working for a safer borough, have bought a minibus to transport STT officers between routes.