Bluestar, owned by Go-Ahead Group, has announced that it is teaming up with Hampshire Constabulary to improve police services for people living in Southampton, making them more accessible.
Uniformed police officers will be welcomed onboard the bus operator’s vehicles – giving passengers the opportunity to communicate with them and ask questions about issues in their local community.
“Buses provide the perfect opportunity for people to c
hat informally with community police in a relaxed atmosphere,” said Bluestar Head of Communications, Nikki Honer.
“We see it as a sort of mobile beat surgery – providing easy access for anyone wishing to discuss local issues of any kind that police officers might be able to help with. And this fits in well with our chatty bus scheme, which is all about encouraging people to talk to each other.
“The scheme will be trialled in the Totton and Waterside areas, on our Bluestar 8 and 9 buses, and officers will be with us for a few hours, from around 0830hrs to 1200hrs.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming them on-board. The first event will be on Wednesday 24 July.”
PCSO Connor De Mornay from Hampshire Constabulary added: “This is an excellent opportunity for us to become even more visible and accessible within the local area.
“Sometimes, local people may have questions or concerns but don’t have time to come and see us.
This way, they can have a chat whilst they are travelling to work or to the shops.
“On a bus, our team can talk to several people in one go – allowing us to help more local people than we may otherwise be able to do. Our officers are human beings, they are there to assist – and we’re very much looking forward to meeting bus passengers when the trial starts later this month.”
