The past year has seen a 'significant boost' in the number of police officers patrolling buses and stations, Greater Manchester's transport commissioner has said.

Throughout 2024, the deployment of 'TravelSafe' officers doubled - and with buses now back under public control in Stockport, these deployments are becoming easier and more regular still, commissioner Vernon Everitt said.

It's part of making sure everyone using the Bee Network is safe 'at all times', Mr Everitt explained.

It comes as Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and Transport for Greater Manchester announced that their TravelSafe partnership will be continuing.

The partnership deploys officers, monitors CCTV, and provides emergency call points. The officers can patrol buses, trams, and stations such as Stockport Interchange.

In addition to TravelSafe officers, GMP has also been deploying other forces as part of its dedicated policing operations, such as Operation AVRO.

Police officers in Stockport town centre (Image - GMP)

Throughout 2024, there were 125 TravelSafe operations across 52 locations in Greater Manchester. GMP's Transport Unit made 1,362 arrests, conducted 3,163 stop searches, and seized 1,431 vehicles.

This in turn led to charges, fines and further punishments where appropriate for those who were caught.

Chief Inspector for Safer Transport Ronald Neilson said: "It is vital that everyone who comes to Greater Manchester feels safe to travel through the area on public transport.

"We are constantly working with partners and reviewing plans and policies to ensure they are up-to-date and that we are best equipped to clamp down on criminality.

"It is important that our transport system is appropriately and proactively policed to encourage the public to make use of the transport system.

"GMP is committed to supporting the mayor's plans for a more connected and greener city, through tackling crime and antisocial behaviour on our networks."

TravelSafe officers will be patrolling buses and Stockport Interchange (Image - Nub News)

Vernon Everitt, Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester, said: "Everyone using or working on the Bee Network is entitled to be, and feel, safe at all times. That is why the safety of our passengers and staff is, and always will be, a core priority. 

"Bringing buses back under local control alongside Metrolink trams has allowed us to significantly boost the number of TravelSafe Support and Enforcement officers on duty alongside regular police patrols at stations, bus interchanges and on trams and buses.

"They provide a visible and reassuring presence and take a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of antisocial behaviour and crime.

"This partnership working has led to a doubling of the number of special exercises with partner agencies and has extended outreach with schools and colleges designed to help everyone be a good user of the Bee Network. We will continue to explore new ways of working together to make further progress on this."

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