§ Tony CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on progress of the Government's strategy for crime prevention on public transport. [171889]
§ Mr. McNultyThe Government are raising the profile of public transport crime as an issue which needs to be addressed by a partnership approach between operators, local authorities, the police, Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships (CDRPs), and other interested parties.
Examples of effective partnership working include the work of the National Route Crime Group to reduce the risks posed by acts of trespass on railway property and associated acts of vandalism. This and other local and national initiatives have led to a 32 Per cent. reduction of vandalism on the railways in 2002–03. The Secure Stations Scheme encourages train operators to work with other organisations to improve the 'whole journey' 400W experience of rail passengers. Currently approximately two thirds of all overground rail journeys and one half of all London Underground journeys involve passengers starting or finishing their journey at a Secure Station. The Safer Travel on Buses and Coaches Panel is looking at ways to combat assaults, anti-social behaviour and vandalism on vehicles and property. The Panel has recently produced practical guides to protect bus and coach crews.
The British Transport Police (BTP) also play a vital role in keeping Britain's railways safe and secure, and pleasant to use. The Force works closely in partnership with those who manage the railway, staff and tenants, and local police forces. BTP covers crime from serious violent and sexual offences to pick-pocketing and car crime. It also takes a lead in combating the anti-social behaviour that can impact so much on those who use and work on the railway. Other examples of the spreading of crime prevention good practice include a toolkit on reducing crime on public transport, and good practice case studies to improve personal security in bus travel. Department for Transport guidance (to be issued this summer) to local transport authorities on giving greater emphasis to accessibility issues within Local Transport Plans will encourage authorities to adopt a partnership approach with CDRPs, local partners in the health, education and welfare to work sectors, and the local community to address crime and the fear of crime issues as one way of improving people's ability to access jobs and key services.