12 December 2007
SPT forging closer links with Strathclyde Police
New community policing agreement provides pedal power for city centre patrols
In a move to help cut crime in the city centre and help Police Officers travel efficiently through city centre traffic congestion, SPT has entered into a unique partnership agreement with Strathclyde Police.
One of SPT's key priorities is to encourage greater use of public transport, and research shows that in many cases fear of anti-social behaviour makes it hard to persuade people to get out of their cars.
SPT has agreed to invest £45,000 to provide a fleet of 50 mountain bikes and equip officers with essential high visibility gear. Officers based at Strathclyde Police 'A' Division, Stewart Street Police Office, now have greater mobility around the central area of Glasgow.
With many streets pedestrianised and the labyrinth of city centre lanes, the bike is the ideal mode of transport. The mountain bikes will provide high visibility police patrols and is the latest initiative by SPT to improve safety and security on public transport services.
All 15 Subway stations are covered by CCTV and images are monitored by staff based at the Broomloan Control Room throughout the hours of operation. British Transport Police officers provide a permanent community police presence on the Subway. Buchanan Bus Station and those at East Kilbride and Hamilton are also covered by CCTV to allow staff to monitor bus station operations.
Technology advances also allow CCTV cameras to be installed at bus stops to cut down anti-social behaviour and vandalism. Evidence from these cameras is admissible in a court of law and should act as a deterrent to would be offenders.
Councillor Alistair Watson, SPT Chair welcomed the latest development saying: "Often the fear of crime is bigger than the actual reality and influences the travel choices people make. The minority of people engaged in petty crime and anti-social behaviour need to realise such acts are unacceptable.
"I am delighted we've reached this agreement with Strathclyde Police. I believe it shows that SPT is intent on working in collaboration with the Scottish Government and Strathclyde Police to deliver improvements for the travelling public. It will be reassuring to the public to see high profile community policing across the city centre."
Chief Superintendent David Christie, Divisional Commander for Glasgow Central and West Division added: "Glasgow is Scotland's only 24 hour city, which attracts thousands of shoppers daily and an estimated 100,000 visitors every weekend for entertainment.
"This represents a significant challenge for police officers to provide a safe and secure place for people to visit, socialise or work.
"Strathclyde Police welcomes the introduction of increased cycle patrols. The additional 50 bicycles being sponsored by SPT will bring numerous benefits, including enabling officers to cover a greater and wider area, improved response times, access to the myriad of lanes as well as increasing police visibility.
"A further benefit will be that Strathclyde Police will be able to reduce the size of its carbon footprint leading to a reduction in emission levels within Glasgow city centre.
"This working partnership with SPT will take us one step closer to achieving our long term goal of ensuring that Glasgow city centre is a safe place."
Cabinet Secretary for Justice Kenny MacAskill said: "The public want to see a more visible police presence in their communities. That needs a modern, flexible police service that responds to people's needs – whether in tackling crime or attending an accident. Quite simply it's about the right people with the right skills being in the right place at the right time.
"This initiative is a smart way of helping more officers to be in the right place at the right time – free to deploy their skills and years of experience rather than stuck in an office or a traffic jam. The bikes will help officers get round the community quicker and more widely – giving them more time opportunities to build relationships with local people and businesses.
"It is a great example of the police service embracing a new way of getting closer to the communities they serve."
ends