Accessing CCTV on Buses

Wednesday, 04 July 2012 00:00

Question by Steve O'Connell

Is the Mayor content that the Metropolitan Police have sufficient ease of access to CCTV on buses?

Answer by Boris Johnson

TfL and the Metropolitan Police continue to work in partnership to ensure that there is an effective process in place to allow the MPS access to the CCTV footage held by bus operating companies to aid the investigation of criminal offences on buses. In reflection of this, TfL and the MPS hosted a very successful award ceremony last month that recognised the excellent contribution of bus operator staff in supporting this process and helping reduce crime on the transport system.

There is full recording CCTV on every bus and at bus stations. The CCTV cameras on the bus network are essential in helping to combat crime and antisocial behaviour, while also reassuring passengers. It is thanks to the CCTV network, and TfL’s close working relationship with police partners, that crime on the transport network is at an all time low.

On-bus CCTV has been successfully used for many years by the MPS for criminal investigations. For example, Operation BusTag, set up in 2004, has significantly reduced criminal damage on the London Bus network with over 3,500 arrests being made with a conviction rate of over 90%.

As a further enhancement to this system, the Transport Data Retrieval Team was set up in 2009, in partnership with TfL and bus operating companies, and this team’s role is to facilitate quicker and easier access to CCTV footage for the MPS. I am happy with the systems currently in place but am not complacent. TfL, the MPS and the City of London Police will continue to work together to ensure that the technology and expertise are in place to keep buses a low crime environment.

A more recent development whereby TfL and the MPS have effectively improved the effective utilisation of CCTV is Operation Knapp, whereby operators have agreed to prioritise work on transport-related robberies. This initiative has reduced robbery on buses.