HC Deb 25 May 2004 vol 421 cc1524-5W
Mr. Damian Green

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many assaults were committed on buses in each year since 1997; [175454]

(2) how many bus drivers were assaulted on duty in each year since 1997. [175455]

Mr. McNulty

The following table shows the number of bus-related assaults reported to this Department by Transport for London and, for outside London, by a panel of PSV operators.

Total number of assaults on

bus crews and passengers in

Great Britain

 Total number of

assaults on bus crews in

Great Britain
1997 2,556 1,899
1998 2,195 1,594
1999 2,369 1,680
20001 1,988 1,036
2001 n/a 2,592
2002 n/a 2,874
1 Figures for 2000 exclude assaults on bus crews in London.

The Safer Travel on Buses and Coaches Panel (STOP) has been established to look at ways to combat assaults, anti-social behaviour and vandalism at stops and stations and on vehicles and property. The panel brings together those involved in dealing with the issue of safety and security, and includes operators, local authorities, police and unions. It is charged with the important task of facilitating the exchange of ideas and spreading best practice and is considering how the collection of accurate bus and coach crime data can be improved.

Mr. Damian Green

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many crimes of a sexual nature were committed(a) on buses and (b) at bus stops in each year since 1997. [175456]

Mr. McNulty

There were 60 sexual assaults on bus passengers in 1997 and 90 in 1998. It is not possible to distinguish between crimes of a sexual nature committed on buses and at bus stops. No data are held centrally for subsequent years.

Mr. Damian Green

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many acts of vandalism were committed on buses in each year since 1997. [175458]

Mr. McNulty

No data are held centrally on the number of acts of vandalism committed on buses in each year since 1997. However, it is estimated that the average annual cost per operator outside London resulting from acts of vandalism was £31,459 in 2002.