Transport for London (TfL) has announced it is working with the Metropolitan Police Service (the Met) to develop and trial the use of CCTV cameras at bus shelters in London.
This is to explore the benefits for preventing and detecting crime and anti-social behaviour and investigating incidents, improving customer confidence to travel on TfL’s bus network.
TfL has already installed Met CCTV at Peckham Library bus shelter and will initially install Met CCTV at four further bus shelter locations in Finsbury Park, Turnpike Lane, Gants Hill and Stratford City, before extending the trial to 20 shelters later this year.
The cameras will be available for Met teams, including the jointly funded TfL/Met Roads and Transport Policing Command, to view live and will retain recordings for 31 days to support police investigations and crime prevention.
In addition to assessing the effectiveness of CCTV for crime prevention and investigation, TfL will gather feedback from customers and stakeholders throughout the trial to assess the feeling of safety and security for customers using the TfL bus network.
TfL said it provides funding for more than 2,000 police and community support officers on the transport network and deploys more than 500 enforcement staff across the UK capital.
READ MORE: One-third of women sexually harassed on their commute, survey finds
An initial team of 15 Transport Support and Enforcement (TSE) officers has now begun night patrols across the network to provide support to operational customer-facing colleagues, challenge workplace violence and provide a highly visible presence to staff and customers using the transport network at night.
According to TfL, the officers are trained and equipped to deal with such issues and prioritise engagement and education over enforcement.
However, the officers are reportedly also trained in conflict management and to intervene physically when needed, using their powers to remove passengers, deny service or to prevent further harm and injury.
In the first four weeks of deployment, the TSE officers have reportedly removed 47 passengers who were refusing to comply with the rules and regulations of the network and were obstructive or threatened TfL staff.
They have dealt with another 132 customers for bylaw breaches who were reported for prosecution and denied 82 customers access to the network because of their behaviour.
Officers engaged with 424 customers who accepted advice and guidance and adapted their behaviour to be able to continue their journeys.
The officers have also provided safeguarding assistance to 41 passengers.
All TfL TSE officers are required to wear body worn video (BWV) and personal protective vests.
Siwan Hayward, TfL’s director of security, policing and enforcement, said: “CCTV plays a crucial role in both crime prevention and investigation. This camera trial with the Met will inform our plans for the best ways to improve the safety and security of our customers, staff and infrastructure.
“We have also already seen incredible results from our new night enforcement officers over the last month who play an important role supporting our frontline colleagues in busy locations and safeguarding role to our most vulnerable customers, and we are pleased to be able to offer this support through the night.
“We’d like to thank the Met for their work in designing this camera for bus shelters, which will play a vital role in tackling crime, including tackling sexual offences and violence against women and girls.
“We are committed to keeping customers and staff safe and will continue to work closely with the police to ensure that our transport network remains a welcoming environment to work and travel.”
TfL reportedly invests more than £170m in the Met and British Transport Police each year.
Achievements and innovations in community impact initiatives will be celebrated at the third annual CiTTi Awards, which will be held on 26 November 2024 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Nominations are now open! Please visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector.
