Mayor-backed public transport safety officers praised for crime intervention

A public transport safety officer has been commended after intervening to help a shop security guard who was being punched by an alleged shoplifter.

Muhammad Rizwan helped de-escalate the incident and keep the alleged shoplifter away from members of the public, before calling police, who attended and arrested the man. Mr Rizwan is a high-visibility officer from Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Gary Godden’s new tram and bus safety scheme Operation SafeTravel – funded by the Mayor of the East Midlands, via the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA)

The man had allegedly taken a wine bottle and other items from a nearby store. However, when challenged by the security guard, he became aggressive and verbally abusive and began punching the security guard. During the altercation, the man also allegedly broke wine bottles and tore the security guard’s security vest.

He reportedly continued behaving aggressively and attempted to assault other members of the public, including young people waiting at the tram stop.

After a call from Operation SafeTravel officers, police arrived within a few minutes and arrested the man, who was taken into police custody. The safety officers also recorded the incident on their body-worn cameras, which will be used as police evidence.

Mayor Claire Ward said: “I was proud to allocate funding for Operation SafeTravel, and this incident shows the difference it has already made. Officers were available when someone needed help, and they quickly stepped in to keep everyone safe.

“Everyone should feel safe and confident when using public transport, whether they’re travelling to work, meeting friends or heading home.

“Operation SafeTravel gives a visible presence of officers on our buses and trams, helping to de-escalate incidents and giving people somewhere to turn when they need support. They can also quickly bring in the police when an incident requires it.

“We are pleased to support Operation SafeTravel and the officers working to make our transport network safer.”

Public transport safety officers

Operation SafeTravel was launched in June and involves high-visibility safety officers hopping on and off buses and trams to offer safeguarding and a friendly face of support, as well as acting as extra eyes and ears in support of police investigations.

Funding for the £200,000 project comes from EMCCA, led by Mayor Claire. The officers are provided by Octavian Group and are tasked according to Nottinghamshire Police data on hotspots for crime and antisocial behaviour

PCC Godden said: “This incident is a perfect example of how these high-visibility officers are helping keep people safe in and around the public transport network and giving extra support to our police and partners.

“Thanks to their swift actions, they were able to quickly de-escalate the situation, keep members of the public and the security guard safe and support an effective arrest and investigation by police.”

Other incidents that the Operation SafeTravel officers have dealt with since their introduction have included assisting with medical incidents, preventing people taking alcohol or e-scooters on trams, preventing fare dodging, de-escalating confrontations and preventing antisocial behaviour.

Chief Inspector Mike Ebbins, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Operation SafeTravel makes a significant contribution to our collective safety offer for the city, providing an additional layer of support and reassurance alongside high-visibility policing, community protection and wider partnership activity.

“The team’s intervention in this incident was outstanding. Their vigilance and swift actions led to an arrest and prevented further harm, demonstrating the real value that Operation SafeTravel brings to keeping people safe.

“I would like to personally thank everyone involved for a job exceptionally well done. Their actions reflect the strength of our partnership approach and our shared commitment to making Nottingham a safer place for everyone who lives, works and visits here.”

Youth workers

The incident comes after specialist youth workers joined Operation SafeTravel.

Youth workers from Breaking Barriers Building Bridges (4Bs) are providing a visible and trusted presence around some of Nottingham city centre’s busiest tram stops, engaging directly with young people and intervening where there are concerns about their safety.

Early results from 4Bs’ outreach show the difference that presence is already making.

More than 50 young people have been signposted or referred to youth and mentoring opportunities, while young people experiencing problems with cannabis or alcohol are regularly being connected with specialist support.

Two missing or high-risk young people have also been located by youth workers, with their whereabouts referred to the police Missing Persons Team.

In one significant safeguarding intervention, youth workers supported a 19-year-old woman following an incident in the city centre where several young people were reported to have knives.

Staff brought the woman into a safe location, informed police and arranged transport home. Concerned that she could remain at risk, the team tracked her journey and stayed on the phone with her until she arrived safely.

On another occasion, police were contacted after youth workers encountered two young people believed to have been involved in a fight where knives were present, providing descriptions to officers to support wider safeguarding and disruption activity.

‘Interventions can make a real difference’

Mr Godden said: “These early results demonstrate exactly why youth engagement is such an important part of Operation SafeTravel.

“Enforcement has an essential role to play, but if we want to prevent violence and antisocial behaviour before it happens, we also need trusted people who can engage with young people, recognise when somebody may be at risk and connect them with the right support.

“Whether that is helping a young woman get home safely after a frightening incident, identifying a missing young person or getting somebody struggling with drugs or alcohol into specialist support, these interventions can make a real difference.

“By combining that preventative work with visible patrols, intelligence-led policing and our transport partners, we are creating a network where young people and other passengers can feel safer and where there are people they can turn to when they need help.”

The 4Bs outreach focuses primarily on Royal Centre and Old Market Square tram stops, with teams also deployed to Hockley when intelligence or emerging concerns indicate additional support is needed.