A CRACKDOWN on anti-social behaviour on the region’s transport network resulted in 56 arrests and 494 fines in two weeks.

Undercover and plain clothes police officers, operating with the TravelSafe partnership from November 6 to 19, also located eleven missing people and provided a presence in support of the Christmas lights switch-ons in Bolton and Bury.

Chief Inspector Tariq Butt, who leads the partnership for GMP said: “We want the results from this operation to send a message to offenders and would be criminals that we are serious about keeping our travel network safe.

“We are keen to see that justice is served against those offenders causing misery towards commuters, communities and the local area. Anyone caught or responsible for a crime will be dealt with for their criminality.

“Our region’s bus and tram network caters for more than 240 million journeys each year which is why it is important that everyone is able to travel to and from their destination safely and without fear.

“The work of our team will not be limited to these two-weeks. In fact they will continue to support travel safe officers throughout the year to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour.”

In Rochdale, a drone was used to deter criminality. In addition court warrants were issued to retrieve unpaid fines.

People were arrested for a variety of offences including possession of drugs, shoplifting and recall to prison.

There were also seven arrests for non-payment of outstanding fines worth a combined total of £9,550.

Nearly 500 fines were issued for non-payment of tickets and 27 people were surrendered to the courts for outstanding fines worth £31,000.

The partnership is made up of TravelSafe Officers (TSOs) who are Security Industry Authority accredited, Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and police officers, all dedicated to patrolling the transport network including busses and trams.

John Fryer, Transport for Greater Manchester’s safer travel manager, added: “The message to those that choose to commit crime and antisocial behaviour is clear; it will not be tolerated and we will continue to clamp down on it through targeted interventions and proactive operations such as this.”

To report crime on the transport network call Police on 101.

Always dial 999 where there is a threat to life or a crime in progress.