Public urged to report bus and tram shelter yobs

TRANSPORT bosses have unveiled a new campaign aiming to crackdown on anti-social behaviour in bus and tram shelters.

The South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive hope ShelterWatch will encourage local people to report incidents, including vandalism and graffiti in a bid to help keep their shelter ‘crime free’.

Information can be reported anonymously, which will then be sent to South Yorkshire Police and local authorities who will use it to crack down on crime.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

David Brown, passenger services director at SYPTE said: “Although incidents of this nature are rare, some people do act unsociably and this ruins it for everyone else.

“Each year a lot of money is spent repairing damage to shelters and we believe by engaging the local community we will be able to stamp out this problem once and for all.”

Chf Insp Rachel Barber, from South Yorkshire Police, said: “We are aware from passengers and transport operators that some youths use bus and tram shelters as meeting places, especially during winter months, and this can be off-putting to passengers.

“We are taking anti-social behaviour and criminal damage seriously and we will take a robust and positive approach to anyone who does engage in this type of behaviour.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Transport executive bosses are also improving shelter design and fitting CCTV. Visits will be made to more than 200 schools to spread the message about the campaign.

To report an incident visit travelsouthyorkshire.com or call Traveline on 01709 515151.