Mayor of London Ken Livingstone and Metropolitan Police Service Commissioner Sir Ian Blair visited Bexley today to launch one of the Capital’s new Safer Transport Teams.
Last year Mr Livingstone announced funding for an additional 378 Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) for London’s transport network to be deployed across London.
Speaking at today’s launch the Mayor said “Crime is falling in Bexley and right across London, thanks to the hard work of police and local communities, but there is no possibility that we will let up in the fight to make public spaces as safe as possible, which is why we are introducing these new Safer Transport Teams.
Mr Livingstone said the teams, due to be introduced onto the transport system in twenty one outer London boroughs, would provide “a highly visible policing presence on our transport network, provide reassurance and make public transport safer.”
Under the Safer Transport Teams initiative up to 18 new PCSOs will work with at least two sergeants and one police constable to provide visibility and reassurance and cut crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour on and around public transport.
Sir Ian said he was “delighted that we have been able to work closely with TfL to respond to the concerns of local communities in this way. The introduction of transport Community Support Officers is a further example the MPS’s commitment to making London safer.”
