cctv cameras for bus shelters

[wolfman]

Recent images taken by bus shelter cameras have led to a fixed penalty ticket and final warnings for three youths caught on film vandalising shelters.

The Safer Stockport Partnership, working with shelter provider JC Decaux, launched the CCTV scheme just over a year ago, and figures for 2007 show that bus shelter vandalism dropped by almost 10% points compared to 2006.

Michael Renshaw, GMPTE’s Interim Service Delivery Director, said: “Travelling by bus in Stockport is very safe but people need to feel safe as well, while they wait for a bus as well as when they’re on it. Shelter damage not only causes a real nuisance for passengers, it gives a poor impression of public transport and the local neighbourhood. We are committed to stamping it out and I am glad we are seeing results.

We will now work with our partners to see how this initiative can be expanded further. Vandals should know that their actions may be recorded, it simply won’t be tolerated, and that we will work with the police to pursue offenders. I hope it will make people think twice before carrying out this kind of mindless vandalism," Mr Renshaw added.

Councillor Hazel Lees, Stockport Council's Executive Member for Communities, said: "This is an excellent result for the Safer Stockport Partnership and it has been a pleasure to work with GMPTE on this issue. The vandalism of bus shelters is one of the worst antisocial behaviours as the damage blights our communities."

Chief Inspector Andrew Harty from Stockport Police, added: "This is another good result for the Safer Stockport Partnership which is committed to stamping out these incidents of mindless vandalism. Initiatives like this, making the best use of technology, will continue the reductions in crime we are seeing in Stockport."

Shelters with CCTV have been fitted with up to eight miniature cameras to record what’s going on in and around them. Cameras can be moved from shelter to shelter to target hot-spot areas. Notices have been posted on bus shelters informing people that CCTV may be operating.

Anyone witnessing criminal behaviour at a bus shelter should contact Crimestoppers on               0800 555 111       . People can report vandalised stops and shelters to GMPTE by calling               0161 244 1720        or emailing busstop@gmpte.gov.uk. These will be made safe within 48 hours during weekdays.