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.
