Fare-dodgers fined on Manchester's Metrolink
56 arrests and hundreds fines as part of a two-week crackdown
Last updated 24th Nov 2017
Written by: Anna Lubowicka
Officers and staff from the TravelSafe partnership have arrested 56 people and issued 494 fines as part of a two-week crackdown on crime and antisocial behaviour on the region’s transport network.
The initiative was carried out from 6 to 19 November. Officers and staff from the TravelSafe took part in covert and overt patrols and a drone was used in the Rochdale area to deter criminality. In addition court warrants were issued to retrieve unpaid fines.
11 missing people were located and officers and staff also provided a presence in support of the Christmas lights switch on in Stockport, Bolton and Bury.
People were arrested for a variety of offences including possession of drugs, shoplifting and recall to prison.
There were also seven arrests for non-payment of outstanding fines worth a combined total of £9,550.
Nearly 500 fines were issued for non-payment of tickets and 27 people were surrendered to the courts for outstanding fines worth £31,000.
(Pic: Chief Inspector Tariq Butt heading up the TravelSafe initiative, Piccadilly Gardens
Chief Inspector Tariq Butt, who leads the partnership for GMP said: “We want the results from this operation to send a message to offenders and would be criminals that we are serious about keeping our travel network safe.
“The work of our team will not be limited to these two-weeks. In fact they will continue to support travel safe officers throughout the year to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour.”
The multi-agency uses antisocial behaviour and crime data alongside intelligence from operators to allocate dedicated resources in areas where they are most needed.
John Fryer, TfGM’s Safer Travel Manager, said: “Public transport is a safe way to travel and, as the success of this operation shows; the TSP is working together helping to reinforce and maintain that.”
Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Beverley Hughes, said: “The work done so far lays solid foundations for what will be an extremely busy festive period on public transport. The hard work that has been put into this partnership so far will continue throughout the period, to make sure everyone can enjoy themselves.”