British Transport Police Supports National Personal Safety Day 2009

British Transport Police Neighbourhood Policing Teams around Britain will be out supporting National Personal Safety Day 2009 on Monday, 12 October.

In 2009 National Personal Safety Day, organised by Suzy Lamplugh Trust, has a focus on public transport and BTP's teams will be running station surgeries, crime reduction events and patrols around the country to support the Trust's READY STEADY SAFE campaign.

The annual event aims to raise awareness of simple, practical steps everyone can take to help avoid violence and aggression in today's society. It's about helping people live safer, more confident lives. BTP teams will be distributing a special advice leaflet produced with the Trust for the day.

'Public transport is vital to the economic and social life of Britain,' said Deputy Chief Constable Paul Crowther. 'Boosting confidence makes a real difference to the quality of people's lives.

'We have a remarkably safe rail system. The crime figures are low and have been going down for the last five years, but it doesn't always feel like that.

'Anti-social behaviour can blight people's journeys and make them feel unsafe. The READY STEADY SAFE campaign is a good way to help people take positive steps to feel safer.'

Neighbourhood Policing Teams have been put in place at key points around the rail network. They consist of small groups of police officers and Police Community Support Officers with a focus on a section of line or group of stations. Their role is to provide a reassuring presence on the system and to work with local people to help resolve any problems.

Ann Elledge, from Suzy Lamplugh Trust, said: "The READY STEADY SAFE campaign is all about giving the public the knowledge to be able to reduce the risks and the confidence to use public transport without disproportionate fear of becoming a victim of crime.'


BTP NPTs' activity supports Suzy Lamplugh Trust which is promoting READY STEADY SAFE messages to schools, colleges, workplaces and local authorities.