Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams launch police crime prevention partnership

Sarah Boyd, Head of Operations, Lothian Buses and police Liaison Officer, PC Julie Cochrane.

Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams in partnership with Police Scotland have launched a new crime prevention initiative designed to ensure safety on the city’s public transport network.

Sarah Boyd, Head of Operations, Lothian Buses and police Liaison Officer, PC Julie Cochrane.

The project, part of a wider initiative between Police Scotland and Transport for Edinburgh Group, will enable a police liaison officer to start working with bus and tram staff in the coming weeks.

The partnership agreement was signed between Sarah Boyd, Head of Operations at Lothian Buses and Chief Superintendent Mark Williams at the operator’s Annandale Street headquarters on the 29 July 2015.

Liaison Officer, PC Julie Cochrane, said: “I am delighted to be taking up this role and am looking forward to working with my colleagues in Police Scotland, Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams to listen to staff and passenger concerns so we can address them together.”

Welcoming the partnership, Lothian Buses Head of Operations, Sarah Boyd, said: “We operate 70 services all across Edinburgh and the Lothians and hundreds of thousands of passengers travel safely with us every week. This partnership is about ensuring that passengers continue to feel as safe as possible as they wait for their bus and when they travel. 

“PC Cochrane will be working with staff across the company to provide support and advice on how best to handle difficult situations and, how best to report and prevent crime and anti-social behaviour.

“We’re delighted to be working with Police Scotland. We share the same values around community safety and I’m confident that our work together will benefit our staff and our customers.”

Edinburgh Commander, Chief Superintendent Mark Williams, said: “Edinburgh’s public transport network is one of the best in the country and it provides a vital service across the capital for thousands of residents and visitors every day.

“Thanks to this fantastic new partnership with Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams, the city now has a dedicated police resource to support our combined efforts to tackle anti-social and other criminal behaviour on public transport. This is a hugely positive step in ensuring commuters can travel safely right across the network.”

Michael Powell, Safety, Quality & Environment Manager at Edinburgh Trams, said: “Passenger safety sits at the heart of everything we do – it’s an integral part of training and daily working life. We’re delighted to be involved in this partnership which I’m confident can further enhance the approach we take.”