A pioneering collaboration between Greater Manchester’s TravelSafe Partnership and one of the region’s leading charities is being extended to strengthen efforts to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour on public transport.
Foundation 92, formed by Class of 92 and official charity partner of Salford City FC, has been helping communities to improve their lives through sport, education and bespoke programmes since 2018.
As Greater Manchester emerged from the Covid pandemic, youth-related antisocial behaviour on public transport almost doubled, with spikes notably seen during the school holidays.
Therefore, over the summer holidays Foundation 92 delivered a six-week pilot scheme on behalf of the TravelSafe Partnership engaging with young people, at key locations across the network.
Feedback from the pilot was overwhelmingly positive and as such, an agreement has now been reached between the TravelSafe Partnership and Foundation 92 to expand the scheme and keep it running until at least the beginning of April.
Tom Hutton, Head of Foundation 92, said: “We’re delighted to be a part of the Greater Manchester TravelSafe Partnership supporting young people in the community. We are keen to educate young people on the effects of anti-social behaviour and to lead them down a different path.”
“Foundation 92 Youth Workers have embedded themselves in the transport network to support young individuals involved in anti-social behaviour and through this initiative we are hoping to make a real impact.”
Building on the TSP’s critical work to reassure the travelling public safe through education, engagement and enforcement, a two-person team from Foundation 92 spoke with more than 200 young people between 1st August and 8th September.
A total of 17 sessions were delivered across nine districts in Greater Manchester and made use of the charity’s mobile hub, which is fitted with a TV and games console, to provide a safe space to meet and socialise.
Vernon Everitt, Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester, said: “Ensuring that the public transport and active network is, and feels, safe for everyone is a key priority as we build the integrated Bee Network.
“I’m delighted that TravelSafe and Foundation 92 have agreed to continue working together. This partnership has been a huge success, adding another string to our bow in our continuing action to crack down on youth-related crime and antisocial behaviour and to help vulnerable young people out on the network.
“By using their expertise, Foundation 92 will continue to make young people aware of the dangers and consequences of crime and antisocial behaviour and its impact on other people and also help young people who are often at risk themselves.“
Through the TravelSafe Partnership, police and transport staff spend more than 5,000 hours a week patrolling the Metrolink and bus networks, tackling crime and antisocial behaviour, and reassuring passengers that they can travel safely in Greater Manchester.
More than 3,800 CCTV cameras placed at interchanges, trams and tram stops, and rail stations monitor the public transport network on a 24/7 basis.
The TravelSafe Partnership also runs an extensive educational/behaviour change programme with schools and colleges across Greater Manchester. The 2021/22 academic year saw sessions delivered to 50,500 young people, a record number for the Partnership.
From the next academic year, these sessions will also become more interactive through the use of virtual reality headsets which will help bring to life the consequences of antisocial behaviour.
The innovative software is being delivered through the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund following a successful joint funding bid by TravelSafe and British Transport Police.
Led by Transport for Greater Manchester and Greater Manchester Police, the TravelSafe Partnership also includes transport operators and all 10 local authorities in the region.
Councillor Janet Emsley, Deputy Leader of Rochdale Borough Council and Chair of Greater Manchester’s Police, Fire and Crime Panel, said: “Rochdale Borough Council are pleased to be part of the partnership working together to create safer spaces on our transport system.
“This initiative has been successful in beginning to tackle ASB and youth related crime to make our public transport network safe for users. I welcome the plan to extend the partnership to engage further with young people in the future and wish Foundation 92 and TravelSafe every success in this endeavour.”
Last month Transport for Greater Manchester also received White Ribbon accreditation, highlighting the organisation’s commitment to ending gender-based violence, and reinforcing the region’s ambition to deliver a transport network which is inclusive and safe for all to use.