Security staff will be stationed on almost every Tyne and Wear Metro train running at night, in a major push to improve security.
In a bid to clamp down on rising reports of anti-social behaviour and make passengers feel safer while travelling in the evening, operator Nexus has revealed plans to contract 20 new security personnel. The move will see officers put on board the vast majority of trains running after 7pm every day, starting from the upcoming spring bank holiday weekend, making it the largest ever security presence in the Metro's history.
Nexus managing director Martin Kearney said transport chiefs had “listened to what customers and our Metro team have asked for” and hoped the measures would increase passenger confidence in the network ahead of the much-needed introduction of its new £362m train fleet over the next two years. He said: “We have had an increase in anti-social behaviour recently, which naturally happens with lighter nights and with bank holidays.
“There are hotspots, but the nature of anti-social behaviour is that it does move around. This is an exciting time for the Metro where we will have our first new train operating on the network later this year and I really want customers to feel like they can come and use the Metro whatever time of day.
“In the evening is when people do feel more vulnerable and we want to build up that reassurance and excitement for our customers.”
Nexus previously introduced a 24-strong security team in March last year following a collection of troubling incidents in which young people and Nexus staff were attacked, particularly in North Tyneside, that led to the Metro being branded a “no go” area. That squad was credited with halving the number of crime and anti-social behaviour reports at North Tyneside stations last summer and will now have its size increased to 44, in a bid to deter crime across the entire network.
There have also been calls to install ticket barriers at coastal stations to deter fare-dodging troublemakers from using the Metro as free travel to the beach. Asked if the extra security would be a permanent addition to the Metro, Mr Kearney added: “We have not got an end date for this. I can see a need at this point and I cannot foresee a point in the next couple of years where that would change.”
It will cost in excess of £1m to hire the extra 20 staff, funded via Metro fare revenue and cash provided by police and crime commissioner (PCC) Kim McGuinness.
The Labour PCC said: “Reliable, affordable and crucially, safe – that’s what people tell me they want from our public transport services and this is an example of how, together, we are delivering on this. Our Metro connects our communities and links people to opportunities, and it’s so important that people feel safe and comfortable when on board.”
Northumbria Police have also stationed extra officers on the Metro this month, saying on Thursday that there had been an increase in anti-social behaviour over recent weeks.
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