Covert 'Trojan Bus' deployed in Gateshead to tackle anti-social behaviour
Northumbria Police's 'Trojan' bus - a decoy bus where the passengers are plain clothes police officers - has been out on the beat in Gateshead to crack down at anti-social behaviour hotspots.
The bus tours the Northumbria Police force area as part of the Safer Streets Initiative. Most recently, the bus was deployed in Gateshead, stopping at identified anti-social behaviour hotspots including the Metrocentre and Gateshead interchange.
The tactic sees officers on board what appears to be a regular bus service, but it is in fact a staged service, pick up anti-social behaviour offenders at bus stops and stations. It is deployed in areas where anti-social behaviour has been previously reported. As well as the Trojan Bus, the project involves increased visible patrols, proactive policing, and community engagement to improve feelings of safety and reduce crime.
Officers from the force interacted with people along the bus route, which saw them travel from Gateshead Town Centre to the Heworth, Felling, Leam Lane areas as well as the interchange at the Metrocentre.
Acting Inspector Ryan Askwith from Northumbria Police said: "Policing in this way gives us a unique opportunity to identify those behaving in an anti-social or criminal way in real time - helping us to disrupt offenders swiftly and take appropriate action against those involved. The anti-social behaviour of a minority can have a significant and detrimental impact on communities. As always, we rely on the assistance of you, the public, to be our eyes and ears in reporting this type of crime to us."
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said: "Working closely with Go North East and the Council, Northumbria Police is taking proactive steps to tackle ASB - an issue that I know causes frustrations within the local community. People want visible policing, but it's important they know there's also effective, less visible work happening behind the scenes too, and so it's great to have had the Trojan bus out doing this in Gateshead."
Councillor Angela Douglas, Chair of the Gateshead Community Safety Board, said: "By having the Trojan bus tour Gateshead's anti-social behaviour hotspots, we've supported officers to make quick and efficient arrests. This action spreads a clear message to our communities; we will not tolerate anti-social behaviour in our area and are working together to stop offenders in their tracks."
Northumbria Police's 'Trojan' bus - a decoy bus where the passengers are plain clothes police officers - has been out on the beat in Gateshead to crack down at anti-social behaviour hotspots.
The bus tours the Northumbria Police force area as part of the Safer Streets Initiative. Most recently, the bus was deployed in Gateshead, stopping at identified anti-social behaviour hotspots including the Metrocentre and Gateshead interchange.
The tactic sees officers on board what appears to be a regular bus service, but it is in fact a staged service, pick up anti-social behaviour offenders at bus stops and stations. It is deployed in areas where anti-social behaviour has been previously reported. As well as the Trojan Bus, the project involves increased visible patrols, proactive policing, and community engagement to improve feelings of safety and reduce crime.
Officers from the force interacted with people along the bus route, which saw them travel from Gateshead Town Centre to the Heworth, Felling, Leam Lane areas as well as the interchange at the Metrocentre.
Acting Inspector Ryan Askwith from Northumbria Police said: "Policing in this way gives us a unique opportunity to identify those behaving in an anti-social or criminal way in real time - helping us to disrupt offenders swiftly and take appropriate action against those involved. The anti-social behaviour of a minority can have a significant and detrimental impact on communities. As always, we rely on the assistance of you, the public, to be our eyes and ears in reporting this type of crime to us."
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said: "Working closely with Go North East and the Council, Northumbria Police is taking proactive steps to tackle ASB - an issue that I know causes frustrations within the local community. People want visible policing, but it's important they know there's also effective, less visible work happening behind the scenes too, and so it's great to have had the Trojan bus out doing this in Gateshead."
Councillor Angela Douglas, Chair of the Gateshead Community Safety Board, said: "By having the Trojan bus tour Gateshead's anti-social behaviour hotspots, we've supported officers to make quick and efficient arrests. This action spreads a clear message to our communities; we will not tolerate anti-social behaviour in our area and are working together to stop offenders in their tracks."
