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| Mayor unveils bus policing plan | Mayor unveils bus policing plan |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| An extra 440 uniformed police staff are to be drafted in to patrol major London bus stations to "take back our public places", Mayor Boris Johnson has said. | An extra 440 uniformed police staff are to be drafted in to patrol major London bus stations to "take back our public places", Mayor Boris Johnson has said. |
| The £11.3m scheme is aimed at stamping out "minor crime", which was a key part of Mr Johnson's election manifesto. | The £11.3m scheme is aimed at stamping out "minor crime", which was a key part of Mr Johnson's election manifesto. |
| He stressed the need for extra policing following "recent tragic events". | He stressed the need for extra policing following "recent tragic events". |
| Last year BBC London reported that youth crime on buses had risen by 55% since the introduction of free bus travel for under 16-year-olds in 2005. | Last year BBC London reported that youth crime on buses had risen by 55% since the introduction of free bus travel for under 16-year-olds in 2005. |
| Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair and Transport Commissioner Peter Hendy joined the mayor at West Croydon Bus Garage in south London at the launch of the initiative. | Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair and Transport Commissioner Peter Hendy joined the mayor at West Croydon Bus Garage in south London at the launch of the initiative. |
| 'Tragic events' | 'Tragic events' |
| The 440 officers will be divided into teams of a sergeant, a constable and seven PCSOs. The teams will staff major bus stations and their immediate surrounds. | The 440 officers will be divided into teams of a sergeant, a constable and seven PCSOs. The teams will staff major bus stations and their immediate surrounds. |
| These officers will be in addition to 1,200 uniformed officers already in place who patrol on buses and around bus routes. | These officers will be in addition to 1,200 uniformed officers already in place who patrol on buses and around bus routes. |
| Another 440 officers are also already in place from Safer Transport Teams, deployed in 21 outer London boroughs. | Another 440 officers are also already in place from Safer Transport Teams, deployed in 21 outer London boroughs. |
| The 12-week pilot will see teams focussing on three areas in London - West Croydon, Wood Green in Haringey and Canning Town in Newham. | |
| After the initial period the scheme will be rolled-out across the city within a year. | |
| Mr Johnson said: "Recent tragic events have further highlighted the need to get a grip on crime... | Mr Johnson said: "Recent tragic events have further highlighted the need to get a grip on crime... |
| "...The creation of these new teams, with some 440 new officers, is a crucial part of our strategy for taking back our public spaces, cutting so-called "minor crime" and anti-social behaviour, and increasing people's sense of safety." | "...The creation of these new teams, with some 440 new officers, is a crucial part of our strategy for taking back our public spaces, cutting so-called "minor crime" and anti-social behaviour, and increasing people's sense of safety." |
| Figures obtained by BBC London under the Freedom of Information Act showed there were 5,701 reports of crime on buses in 2007, compared to 3,666 the previous year. | Figures obtained by BBC London under the Freedom of Information Act showed there were 5,701 reports of crime on buses in 2007, compared to 3,666 the previous year. |