A joint campaign has been announced by British Transport Police and the London Criminal Justice Board to crack down on assaults against rail and underground workers in London.
Supported by CPS London the campaign will be launched today by Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, the Chief Constable of British Transport Police, Ian Johnston, and the Chief Crown Prosecutor for London, Dru Sharpling.
Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London said “London’s transport workers play a vital role in keeping the city moving and they are entitled to expect that they should be able to carry out their duties without the threat of violence or intimidation. ”
“By working together, London’s criminal justice agencies are not only helping to ensure that the capital has the safest transport system in the world, but are also sending out a clear message that assaults on people, whether they are staff or passengers, will not be tolerated.”
According to details released by the Mayor’s office the transport workforce is disproportionately affected by racially aggravated violence due to the diverse makeup of transport staff.
Ian Johnston, the Chief Constable of British Transport Police, said his force welcomed having “the strong support of the Crown Prosecution Service in tackling this priority crime” and described the campaign as “very much a partnership initiative.”
