The Safer Travel Team in West Midlands adds six new officers to enhance safety on public transport.
West Midlands: Six new Transport Safety Officers (TSOs) have joined the Safer Travel Team. Their mission? To keep our buses, trains, and trams safe from troublemakers.
These TSOs can issue fines for minor offenses. They focus on dealing with nuisance and antisocial behavior, which is a big deal for commuters.
They’re not just wandering around aimlessly. These officers target specific routes, stops, and stations based on reports from transport staff and the public. It’s all about being proactive.
Now, there are 16 TSOs in total, split into four teams. One team focuses on buses, another on rail and Metro, a third on violence against women and girls, and the last one is a response team for urgent issues.
The West Midlands Combined Authority is serious about tackling violence against women. Three of the new recruits are women, which is a great step forward.
These TSOs are trained to help female passengers who might feel unsafe. They can escort them to safety or check if someone is following them. It’s all about making sure everyone feels secure.
Mayor Richard Parker emphasized that everyone deserves to feel safe on public transport. He mentioned that while crime rates are low, he wants to keep it that way. One incident is too many.
To boost safety, he’s increased the number of officers in the Transport Safety Team. So, expect to see more staff on patrol, especially in the evenings, ensuring safer journeys for all.
