Safer Transport Team Newsletter

Harrow Safer Transport Team

NEWSLETTER Tel: 020 8721 2253 Email: [email protected]

Welcome This is the first newsletter from the Safer Transport and Hub Teams. In this and future releases we aim to advise you of policing issues surrounding travelling on public transport within Harrow borough and the activities undertaken by the teams. Our aims are to improve public safety, reduce the fear of crime and take positive steps to arrest those who commit criminal offences whilst travelling on the bus network as well as those who offend in the vicinity of bus stops.

This team consists of a sergeant, constable and seven community support officers. The aims of the team are to patrol Harrow bus station and a small surrounding area; to tackle local crime and disorder issues; to improve passenger and staff perceptions of safety and security; to reduce crime and anti social behaviour and to increase public confidence and satisfaction with policing on the transport network.

Within the last month the Safer Transport Team (STT) has been involved in high visibility activities across many different bus routes. They have worked closely with Transport for London Revenue Protection Inspectors combating fare evasion and reducing anti social behaviour. The STT has also undertaken work in conjunction with schools’ officers to tackle perceived anti social behaviour from youths, raising their awareness regards other people’s perception of their behaviour. Members of the team travel the bus network at school dismissal times to support the bus drivers in their attempts to keep order. The STT was first at the scene of a serious incident involving school pupils and as a result of their prompt intervention no injuries were sustained and a male was arrested for possessing an offensive weapon You will see the STT officers on a regular basis and this does not reflect any rise in crime but is solely because the team has been dedicated to this specific task by the Mayor and our Borough Commander. Please speak to them and advise them of any safety issues you have regarding travel and be reassured they are there to help you.

Knife crime Knife arch operations at several different locations have been undertaken in conjunction with Safer Neighbourhoods teams and our colleagues from the British Transport Police. Harrow does not have a high knife crime rate in comparison with neighbouring boroughs but through use of high visibility proactive operations we are actively reducing the possibility of knife crime even further Some young people believe that it is acceptable to carry a knife for their own protection. Lets be clear on this point IT IS NOT, IT IS ILLEGAL. If you are found in possession of a knife for this purpose you will be arrested, you will get a criminal record and you will risk the possibility of a long prison sentence.

Hub Team

When you carry a knife you put your future in danger…”Get a life and ditch the knife”

On Friday 27 March 2009 Harrow Borough saw Mayor of London, Boris Johnson launch the new Hub team.

If you have any information concerning crime contact Harrow Police on 0300 123 1212 or call Crime stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111