Officers 'to be eyes and ears' of transport network

Security officers have begun patrolling on buses and trams in Nottingham and surrounding areas after the launch of a new transport safety scheme.

Five new officers will patrol the transport network as part of Operation SafeTravel, after the scheme received £200,000 from the East Midlands Combined County Authority.

Officers have been brought in to tackle anti-social behaviour, such as loud music and smoking on the trams, or children obstructing them.

The Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner's (PCC) office, which is behind the scheme, said officers would "offer safeguarding and a friendly face of support, as well as acting as extra eyes and ears in support of police investigations".

PCC Gary Godden said: "Operation SafeTravel aims to ensure anywhere on the public transport network is seen by people as a safe space, where they can rely on getting support if they need it.

"I want people coming to Nottingham to be reassured by the high-visibility presence we will have on our buses and trams and feel safe and supported whenever they travel for work or leisure."

Officers, provided by security firm Octavian, will patrol using plans based on Nottinghamshire Police crime data to ensure resources are "directed to the areas, dates and times where they are needed most", his office said.

They will collect evidence and call the police if someone needs to be arrested.

Funding will allow the officers to "carry out shifts for up to 10 hours a day, and up to seven days a week, in peak times, including the summer period", the office added.

One of the new officers, Ibrahim Jalloh, said many passengers felt reassured by their presence.

"People see us, they keep on smiling, say, 'oh yes now we can come to the tram and now we can go home safe'.

"And there's not much anti-social behaviour taking place in the tram, and we are happy to do it. Our mission is to see them get down and go home safe, that's what we are doing, that's why we are here," he said.

Operation SafeTravel will also involve training for bus drivers and raise awareness "to ensure vulnerable public transport users can seek support or report incidents when they feel unsafe", the PCC's office said.

East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward said: "One of my key priorities is building a region where people can access opportunity easily and safely.

"By working closely with the police, police and crime commissioner Gary Godden and transport operators, we are tackling crime and anti-social behaviour, while strengthening public confidence in our transport network.

"This is also about prevention. Alongside enforcement activity, youth workers will help engage and support young people, creating a safer, more welcoming transport system for everyone."

A survey will be carried out to help "assess the success" of the pilot scheme, including measuring passengers' feelings of safety, and to explore what more can be done to make improvements, the PCC's office added.

Listen to BBC Radio Nottingham on Sounds and follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.