A request to give Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) greater powers to prevent anti-social behaviour on the region’s transport network has moved a step closer.

The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, submitted a request to the Home Secretary in November.

In response, the Home Secretary has now agreed, subject to parliamentary approval, to extend powers under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 that would allow TfGM to apply to the courts for civil injunctions against those involved in nuisance and anti-social behaviour on the transport network.

With more than 240 million journeys made on the region’s buses and trams each year the chance of being a victim of or witness to ASB remains low, however year-on-year increases have been reported by Metrolink, bus stations and bus services, with 2,334 incidents reported in 2013/14; 2,862 in ‘14/15; 3,730 in ‘15/16 and 3,984 in ‘16/17.

Between April 2016 and July 2017, 86 assaults were recorded on Metrolink, 46 of which were upon staff, while 165 reports of threatening or abusive behaviour were also recorded.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “Anti-social behaviour is a blight on our communities and the transport networks that serve them.

“We’ve seen a steady increase in the numbers of incidents reported in recent years and I am not prepared to sit back and allow free rein to the small minority of people who think it acceptable to intimidate, threaten or abuse transport workers and commuters.

“That is why I asked the Home Secretary to grant TfGM the power to issue civil injunctions and help them battle the eroding effect that ASB can have on a person’s decision whether or not to use public transport.

“Our common goal is to ensure people are and feel safe when they use our trams and buses and I’d like to thank the Home Secretary for her swift and positive response.

“The TravelSafe Partnership is already doing some fantastic work and the addition of these powers, if granted, will be a welcome addition to their armoury.”

Home Secretary Amber Rudd, said: “It is unacceptable that people should feel intimidated in public places or whilst commuting.

“It is important that Transport for Greater Manchester has the right tools it needs to tackle this crime on their public transport networks and I am pleased to extend the use of Civil Injunctions to this area subject to Parliamentary agreement.

“The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 provides the police, local authorities and agencies with a range of powers which they can use quickly and effectively to tackle anti-social behaviour and reduce the impact on communities.”

Should the request be accepted, TfGM would join a list of other public bodies eligible to apply for the injunctions under section five of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

The powers would complement the work currently being done under the TravelSafe Partnership, a multi-agency approach to tackling crime and anti-social behaviour on Greater Manchester transport.

*Figures for bus services provided by two major bus operators. With more than 40 operators across the region the actual number of ASB incidents on bus services is likely to be far higher.

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