Safer Transport Command
Safe Travel For All
Earlier this year (May 2011) the Metropolitan Police Service’s (MPS) Safer Transport Command (STC) and its partners Transport for London (TfL) launched a “Safe travel for all” (STFA) initiative which aims to help users and non-users to feel safer and more secure as they move around London.
There are billions of journeys made on London’s public transport system every year. Most people move around the Capital without any fear. However, there are some members of the community who feel vulnerable about making particular journeys because of safety and security concerns.
TfL funds over 2,500 uniformed officers from the British Transport Police, City of London Police, Metropolitan Police Service and Transport for London. These officers, together with thousands of transport staff, provide high visible reassurance to passengers on a daily basis.
Following on from the success of the disability strand of STFA that took place in May, the LGBT strand will begin in July with STC presence at the London Pride event on July 2nd.
Throughout the summer the STC Safer Transport Teams (STT) will carry out engagement activity with their local LGBT community explaining the role that the STTs play in keeping the transport network a safe environment whilst encouraging members of the LGBT community to report any incidents.
Sergeant Sean McDermid Project lead for STFA (STC) said: "Safe Travel for All provides a fantastic opportunity for the police, our partners and the community to come together regularly throughout the year and identify real opportunities to improve the safety and security of all users on the transport system.
“Our work around the STFA disability strand was fully embraced and supported by the disabled people and disability groups that were visited.
“Following on from its success STFA is now evolving, and the increased engagement activity planned for the summer will help the LGBT community feel confident about travelling in London and inform them of how to report any incidents.”
Rikesh Shah, Communications Manager, Transport for London, said: ‘It’s vital that all members of the community feel safe and secure whilst moving around the Capital on public transport. These TfL-funded officers will engage with communities in their area to understand and act upon local security concerns that may be a barrier to travel.”