Security officers on the buses

10:05am Saturday 6th September 2008

SECURITY officers will patrol buses in Bolton for the next 12 months as part of a crackdown on anti-social behaviour on public transport.

Greater Manchester Public Transport Authority (GMPTA) and the Greater Manchester Bus Operators Association will invest £150,000 in the Patrol and Response Unit over the next year.

The scheme will pay for uniformed officers on bus routes across Greater Manchester.

Officers will work closely with police to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.

Cllr Keith Whitmore of the GMPTA said: "Passenger safety and security is one of our top priorities. We want people to feel safe on public transport."

Last year the unit responded to more than 200 incidents on buses and at stations throughout Greater Manchester.

Security officers board around 100 buses every week and spend more than 50 hours patrolling stations.