Transport for London is now trialling CCTV at 20 bus shelters in a variety of environments across the capital
Transport for London (TfL) has launched a 12-month trial of CCTV at 20 bus shelters across London, together with the Metropolitan Police. The trial is designed to improve passenger safety, especially for women and girls, and ensure they can travel with confidence 24 hours a day, says TfL, and a step towards delivering the Mayor’s commitment to increase CCTV in bus shelters.
The technology was tested at five bus shelters in March, and now a further 15 bus shelter locations have been fitted with CCTV across Brent, Croydon, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Hillingdon, Lambeth, Newham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, and Westminster. The locations were selected to provide good coverage across London, says TfL, and to understand the effectiveness of CCTV in different areas, including busy locations with high footfall, quieter locations with less frequent bus services, higher crime areas, or locations where women and girls have reported feeling more unsafe.
The cameras will be available to the Metropolitan Police to help prevent and investigate crime and to improve incident response with live access. TfL will also gather feedback from customers and stakeholders throughout the trial to assess the feeling of safety and security for customers using the bus network.
Deputy Mayor for Transport Seb Dance said: “Everyone deserves to feel safe and be safe at all times when travelling around London and it is the Mayor’s top priority to ensure the transport network is a safe and low-crime environment. That’s why I welcome this trial of CCTV at bus shelters, which will improve safety for women and girls and ensure they can travel with confidence.
“Increased CCTV will help to ensure the network is secure and welcoming round the clock, supporting the Mayor’s aim to continue building a safer London for everyone.”
Siwan Hayward, TfL’s Director of Security, Policing and Enforcement, said: “At TfL, we are committed to playing our full part in ending violence against women and girls. We want women and girls to be safe and feel safe, and for the TfL network to be a beacon of safety for everyone, day and night. CCTV plays a crucial role in both preventing crime and antisocial behaviour, and investigating incidents. We know the presence of CCTV and other security measures improves confidence to travel and use public transport, which is why we are expanding our already extensive CCTV network. This is one of many measures we are putting in place, alongside our work with the Met and BTP, to improve the safety and security of people travelling on public transport.”
Michael Roberts, CEO of London TravelWatch, added: “London TravelWatch research tells us that many people can feel unsafe when waiting for buses, particularly women and girls. This important and valuable trial will not only help detect crime, but will also ensure that women and girls can feel safer and more confident when travelling by bus.
“We look forward to seeing the results of this pilot and for further initiatives to improve safety on London transport.”
