3rd July 2008:
Translink today reaffirmed their commitment to tackling vandalism and antisocial behaviour by highlighting the measures being taken to get tough on perpetrators. These include the use of high quality CCTV now increasingly in use at stations and on board buses and trains in order to make customers and staff feel more safe and secure.
Edwin McMillan, Translink’s Secretariat Manager and responsible for prosecutions said, “We want to provide a safe environment for our passengers and staff and as such vandalism, trespass and other anti-social activities will not be tolerated. Over the last 5 years, vandalism has cost the company around £8 million – money, which would have been better spent on improving our services.
“High quality, CCTV now in use helps serve as a powerful deterrent to prevent crime on our vehicles and property. When incidents do occur, we have used the footage to investigate, apprehend and prosecute offenders where we can. Front facing cameras on trains also record the track ahead capturing images of would be trespassers and level crossing abusers - both motorists and pedestrians. We regularly bring cases to court and last year almost 200 people were prosecuted by NI Railways resulting in total fines of almost £30,000.
“In addition, we continue run high profile communication campaigns such as the CCTV Can C U/C U in Court poster campaign which is part of the wider track safety campaign which is due to be launched in the coming weeks”.
Translink also actively engage with the local community through a range of outreach programmes and multi-agency campaigns in conjunction with the emergency services and PSNI. Metro District Manager, Damien Bannon explained, “We participate in the Youth Diversion Programme, which is an excellent example of a very successful multi-agency initiative. It sees identified offenders undertake tasks and chores such as cleaning buses under staff supervision. The programme incorporates talks and tours of depots and as a result many reformed individuals see the error of their ways and have even enquired about job opportunities with the company!”
Translink also continue to highlight the reward scheme, which offers up to £1,000 reward to anyone who gives evidence leading to a successful prosecution. Edwin McMillan concluded. “We take a determined stance to all antisocial activity and would appeal to perpetrators to think twice about the consequences of their actions”.
End
Issued by the Translink Press Office: contact Lisa Hamilton-Sturdy 028 90 899455
Notes to the editor
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