A crackdown on crime and anti-social behaviour on the region’s transport network, including the Oldham to Rochdale Metrolink line, is underway.
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ut the initiative, involving the TravelSafe Partnership (TSP), will only last for two weeks.
The Oldham-Rochdale tram line has been singled out for special attention due to the amount of anti-social behaviour along its route.
Plain-clothed and uniformed officers are being deployed in an attempt to root out trouble-makers.
The team will also execute warrants issued by court enforcement officials to retrieve unpaid fines.
In Rochdale, a drone will be used to pinpoint specific offenders and trouble hot spots.
Chief Inspector Tariq Butt, who leads the partnership for GMP, said: “This operation shows our commitment to keeping people safe while using public transport across Greater Manchester.
“We will be using the presence on public transport to support vulnerable people, such as those who are missing from home or at risk of criminal exploitation.
“We want this initiative to act as a message to our communities, commuters and those people committing crime and anti-social behaviour.
“We are taking the issue seriously and will see that justice is served against those offenders causing misery across the travel network.”
The partnership is made up of TravelSafe Officers (TSOs), Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and police officers, all dedicated to patrolling the transport network, including buses and trams.
The multi-agency approach is designed to tackle and reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.
It uses anti-social behaviour and crime data alongside intelligence from operators to allocate dedicated resources in areas where they are most needed.
Greater Manchester’s Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Beverley Hughes said: “Public safety is our top priority and that is why we are stepping up our patrols to crack down on crime and anti-social behaviour on our travel network.
“Already this year I have provided extra funding to the Chief Constable for 50 additional PCSOs for the network.
“We are committed to creating an environment in Greater Manchester where crime and anti-social behaviour is not tolerated.
This initiative will give our police officers, PCSOs and TravelSafe officers the opportunity to reassure the people of Greater Manchester that our travel network is safe and welcoming for all.”
TfGM’s Customer Director, Stephen Rhodes, said: “The ability to share information between transport operators and the police and use it to plan targeted operations such as this is one of the major advantages of having a dedicated TravelSafe unit.
“It is really important that every member of our community feels safe to travel without feeling intimidated or concerned by the behaviour of others.
“Public transport is a safe way to travel and the TravelSafe Partnership helps to reinforce and maintain that.”