Partners are joining forces to make public transport even safer as part of a
pioneering new pilot scheme in Nottinghamshire.
Operation Safenet will see closer collaboration and information sharing between
police and Nottingham’s tram operator to prevent crime, analyse trends and come up
with solutions that keep passengers safe on and around the 20-mile tram network.
Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Gary Godden is bringing together
Nottinghamshire Police and Nottingham Express Transit (NET) for the collaborative
project, as part of his vision to keep people safe, especially women and girls.
Passengers will also benefit from enhanced support, monitoring and evidence
gathering from dozens of existing ‘help points’ at tram stops and CCTV cameras
across the tram system.
If successful, the 12-month pilot scheme could be extended or rolled out to other
forms of public transport across Nottinghamshire.
PCC Godden said: “Nottingham is a great city and Operation Safenet is about
making it even safer by bringing partners together to work more closely behind the
scenes on things like evidence gathering, information sharing and crime prevention.
“It includes employing a researcher to analyse crime and antisocial behaviour
patterns. This then allows existing front-line resources, such as officers from
Neighbourhood Policing Teams, to take targeted and data-driven action to solve local
problems and nip any issues in the bud.
“Not only will this benefit the people of Nottinghamshire, it is also going to support
tram staff to stay safe as they carry out their jobs.
“We know that public transport is vital to the way people live their lives, particularly
with the cost of living making personal travel more expensive. I want people to be
safe in the knowledge that when they come to Nottingham for a night out, to work, or
to visit, they will be safe on our public transport network.”
The scheme will complement the ongoing work across the city and county to create
safe spaces and ensure that someone in need of a temporary sanctuary can find a
location near to them where they can access help.
PCC Godden’s Police and Crime Plan – A Safer Nottinghamshire For All – sets the
policing and public safety priorities until 2029. Operation Safenet supports some of
the core principles of his plan, to put communities and victims first and to strengthen
partnership working.
It will also support priority themes including preventing violence against women and
girls, antisocial behaviour, serious violence and supporting vulnerable people.
Assistant Chief Constable Sukesh Verma, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:
“Operation Safenet is about working more closely between CCTV centres, control
rooms and partners to make sure information is shared effectively to give us the
opportunity to tackle those who cause the most harm.
“This pilot will complement the work that we have been delivering through the
Immediate Justice scheme and antisocial behaviour hot spot patrols and the former
Safer Streets project.
“Ultimately the goal is around ensuring our communities feel safe and listened to and
when there are elements of criminality, my officers will deal with it swiftly, effectively
and robustly.”
He added that while much of the Operation Safenet work will happen behind the
scenes, people will still see a uniformed presence from police officers who are
encouraged to travel on public transport as part of their routine neighbourhood
policing patrols, and the force’s emergency response officers will be available when
called upon.
Sarah Turner, Managing Director of NET, said: “The safety of all our passengers,
staff and the people of Nottingham has always been our priority, and is a crucial part
of the NET ethos, woven into everything that we do.
“For a number of years now, we’ve introduced a range of measures to help keep all
our tram users and members of the public safe. These include well-lit stations and
platforms, HD CCTV cameras on all trams, emergency help buttons at all stops and
on all trams, and the ability to contact a member of the team discreetly through
WhatsApp on 0115 824 6060.
“The introduction of this new police resource is a welcome extension of that, and
cements our commitment to ensuring everybody feels safe using our trams, and
when travelling around the city.
“Over the years, we’ve worked really closely with Nottinghamshire Police to devise
ways to reduce antisocial behaviour and violence across the network, and this new
initiative is a really positive partnership that we look forward to developing further.”
East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward has also given her support to the scheme.
She said: “This is a brilliant initiative and illustrates the benefits of collaborative
working between the police, transport bodies and trade unions.
“I am pleased the Police and Crime Commissioner Gary Godden has pushed for this
partnership with NET which will make our public transport system safer and give
assurance to tram users and local residents that help is always there when needed.”
GMB Union, representing Tram Drivers, ticketing and office staff, have today welcomed news that additional Police resources will be made available to support the Nottinghamshire tram network.
The comments come as Nottinghamshire’s Police & Crime Commissioner, Gary Godden, announced the SafetyNet initiative, which will see additional Police resources based at the Tram‘s Wilkinson Street Depot.
Colin Whyatt, GMB Regional Organiser said:
“No one should be expected to face anti-social behaviour and harassment at work.
“This is hugely welcome decision from Nottinghamshire’s Police & Crime Commissioner and will make Nottinghamshire’s tram network safer for staff and passengers alike.”
