Bus and tram passengers are now able to discreetly report crime and anti-social behaviour on buses using a live chat feature.

Using the Bee Network app, passengers can use the new TravelSafe LiveChat function to report any situation that makes them feel unsafe directly to trained police call handlers.

From there, the passenger can get real-time advice and support from a real person, which can result in officers being dispatched if needed.

The scheme is being delivered by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).

In its first week, the scheme has already helped respond to reports of a possible knife offender, and a welfare check for a teenage girl on a tram.

These incidents had been discreetly reported by the public and quickly addressed by GMP and TfGM teams.

Passengers will be able to discreetly report incidents on buses and trams across Greater Manchester (Image - Nub News)

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said the scheme will help reassure travellers and provide a more visible police presence on the Bee Network.

"With this pioneering, first-of-its-kind approach we are demonstrating once again that the safety of everyone who travels or works on the Bee Network is our number one priority", Mr Burnham said.

"We take a zero-tolerance approach to criminal and antisocial activity on our buses, trams, and at our stations, stops and interchanges, and when someone contacts the new TravelSafe LiveChat, they'll always be speaking to a real person who can provide specialist support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"This is a critical first phase of a new, integrated approach to policing public transport which will provide a more visible presence out on the Bee Network, to reassure the travelling public that we will act swiftly to deter and tackle these behaviours head on."

The feature is available on the Bee Network app, which can be downloaded on your phone's app store or via QR codes on Bee Network buses and trams (Image - Nub News)

Assistant Chief Constable Chris Sykes also said: "Every report is handled by a real person at GMP, ensuring swift and compassionate responses.

"Specially trained staff will use an extensive camera network to monitor incidents and coordinate the most appropriate response to take action and reassure passengers.

"This initiative strengthens our commitment to safer journeys and builds on the foundation of existing teams dedicated to traffic and transport-related issues.

"Through more integrated ways of working between GMP and TfGM, we're able to deliver more real-time and effective responses."

Kate Green, TfGM's TravelSafe Partnership Manager, also said: "Ensuring the safety of everyone who works or travels on the Bee Network is our number one priority, and TravelSafe LiveChat represents a real step change in how we reinforce our zero-tolerance policy towards any criminal or antisocial behaviour on public transport.

"The service enables both GMP and TfGM to swiftly respond to reports discreetly made by passengers, allowing us to monitor a situation from our control rooms and, within minutes, co-ordinate the most appropriate response, whether that's notifying nearby security staff, deploying more officers to an incident, or making announcements to reassure passengers.

"While TravelSafe LiveChat has only been live for a short time, we are already seeing the benefits of TfGM and GMP taking a more integrated approach to tackling crime and antisocial activity on the Bee Network, and we remain committed to make public transport safer for everyone."

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