Safer Travel aims to deter and detect crime, criminal damage and anti-social behaviour on our buses and trams – the partnership has done much to bring a safer bus and tram network.

Safer Travel has achieved outstanding results since its introduction and has proved that an honest partnership approach is fundamental to achieving success. Safer Travel is now into its seventh year of operation. Last year during 2006, 135 joint police operations or “Gateway Checks” took place in the West Midlands with tactics constantly changing and being reviewed.

Nearly 30,000 bus services were checked during 2006 and 602,546 bus and metro passengers had their tickets and travel arrangements scrutinised.

Aside from operations across the network, we have 100% of our buses in Dundee and London fitted with CCTV whilst 75% of the Travel West Midlands bus fleet is fitted with innovative CCTV systems. Plans are also in place to fit all Midland Metro trams with newly developed CCTV technology.

Safer Travel continues to focus on specific school liaison work, through the respected 'SMART' Schools Project, community involvement and working partnership with other agencies in the West Midlands, Tayside and now in Surrey.