PUBLIC TRANSPORT SECURITY CORRESPONDENCE

15th June From: Lord Mackenzie To: Crime Management Services

Thank you so much for letting me have sight of the weekly incident report relating to your exciting project with Arriva transport of Liverpool. I believe it illustrates well how the anti-social elements in the community are prepared to flout the rules if they think they are not going to be challenged and this is the very thing which upsets ordinary, decent travellers.

It totally vindicates the position of the Prime Minister in placing anti-social behaviour of the top of the political agenda and shows that in the main, transgressors will conform when they are challenged. That is the rationale behind the employment of the community support officers throughout the country. It provides reassurance, coupled with the ability to challenge instantly, anti-social behaviour.

I commend the project and commend the plain clothes officers for the work they have been doing on behalf of the community. More power to your elbow!

I am copying this letter together with the incident reports to ministers and the chief constable of Merseyside.

Very best regards

Brian Mackenzie

cc: Home secretary, Transport secretary, Chief Constable of Merseyside

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Reply from Alistair Darling (Transport Secretary)

Thank you for copying me your letter of 15th June about Operation Varney, a recent anti-social behaviour initiative on Liverpool´s buses.

I very much welcome initiatives like this to tackle antisocial behaviour on buses and I am encouraged to hear this approach achieved some success. For our part, we are determined to reduce crime and fear of crime on buses; that applies both to bus staff and to passengers. The Government´s Safer Travel on Buses and Coaches Panel (STOP) looks at ways to tackle bus and coach related crime by spreading good practice throughout the industry.

Alistair Darling

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21st June From: Bernard Hogan-Howe (Chief Constable) To: Crime Management Services

Thank you for your letter received on 10 June 2005, concerning the support that you recently received from Inspector Stephen Melia and officers from South Liverpool in establishing a good joint partnership in helping to tackle the problem of Anti-Social Behavior.

I think it is an excellent idea when various organisations work together for the good of the community, especially when dealing with the current problem of Anti-Social Behaviour.

I shall convey your thanks, together with my own note of appreciation to Inspector Stephen Melia, Constable Kate Wilson, Constable Mark McNally and the other officers from Liverpool South that helped to support you in this initiative. I am always pleased to hear of the appreciated efforts of Police Officers and I will only be too happy to pass on your thanks.

Thank you once again for taking the time to write and good luck for all your future initiatives around the city.

Yours sincerely

Bernard Hogan-Howe

Chief Constable

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7th November From: Lord Mackenzie To: Crime Management Services

Thank you for letting me have sight of your report on the short term operation on Arriva buses from St Helens to Dovecot, Merseyside from 29 through 31 October 2005.

I note you call it a short term operation and yet the number of incidents dealt with make the mind boggle. I can imagine the re-assurance it would provide to the travelling public if it was a permanent arrangement. It fits perfectly with the Governments ´Respect´ agenda and I congratulate Crime Management Services and Arriva for implementing the project. More power to your respective elbows.

As you know I speak on anti-social behaviour issues in the House of Lords and will certainly use the information provided from your operation to inform their Lordships how the quality of life for ordinary, travelling members of the public can be dramatically improved by outsourcing these security issues.

Many congratulations yet again and keep up the good work.

Brian Mackenzie