Public Transport crime reduction campaign launched

Merseytravel's Travelsafe, the initiative which supports a public transport system offering the opportunity for all members of the community to travel safely and without fear, is spearheading a Stop Hate campaign across public transport on Merseyside.

Working in partnership with Merseyside Police, Liverpool, St Helens and Wirral Councils, and the national Stop Hate UK charity, which provides 24 hour support and information to people affected by Hate Crime, the campaign will see 800 buses and 200 poster sites carrying the Stop Hate UK branding across Merseyside. There will also be local awareness raising events across the region.

The vast majority of the 179 million public transport journeys each year in Merseyside pass without incident, with most of the buses on Merseyside and the majority of bus and rail stations having CCTV recording equipment. There are also a number of police led operations in partnership with the bus and rail operators, which take place regularly on the public transport network aimed at providing staff and public reassurance, to reduce fear of crime and to target those individuals committing crime and anti-social behaviour.

Councillor Liam Robinson, chair of Merseytravel said: "People travelling across Merseyside should not be alarmed by this campaign; we have one of the safest transport networks in the country however we can always do more to reduce incidents of Hate Crime.
"Quite often Hate Crimes happen due to ignorance or prejudice, but as with all crime, we take a zero tolerance stance and do everything we can to ensure the safety of passengers travelling across Merseyside."

Mark Leighton, Stop Hate UK Reporting and Support Programme Manager said: "Stop Hate UK are absolutely delighted that Merseytravel is part of a wider partnership promoting safety across the Merseyside transport network which includes the reporting of Hate crime to our 24/7 independent helpline'

Councillor Richard McCauley, Cabinet Member for Environmental Protection and Safer Communities at St.Helens Council said: "No hate incident should be tolerated in a respectful society; this includes name calling and bullying of any kind.  We can only take action if decent people are brave enough to report it, and we in St Helens are fully behind this excellent Stop Hate UK campaign to make our local transport network even safer."

Superintendent Rowlie Moore, Community Engagement Unit, said: "Merseyside Police are delighted to work in partnership with Merseytravel, who are providing a significant opportunity to the Merseyside public to raise the awareness of hate crime.

"Merseyside Police deploy dedicated resources to the investigation of hate crime through their Sigma Units and Stop Hate UK provides an innovative 24/7 hate crime reporting mechanism."
Inspector Ken McVey, of British Transport Police, said: "Hate crime has no place on Merseyside's railways and we are actively seeking ways to drive this behaviour from our trains and stations.
"BTP is committed to tackling hate crime in all its forms and will continue to work with and support partner organisations to reach as many people as possible and to show them that we take the issue extremely seriously."

How to contact Stop Hate UK

By Phone: 0800 138 1625 T
he Stop Hate Line is a 24 hour, free, confidential helpline for anyone who has experienced Hate Crime. The operator can just listen, take a report or provide information and support. Stop Hate UK can then pass on the victim's details to their local police and/or a local support agency to provide ongoing help. They will only pass on details if they have the victim's consent.

Online: www.stophateuk.org/talk
There are a number of ways to report online. Visit the Stop Hate UK website to fill in a reporting form, chat live on the web or send us an email

By text: 07717 989 025
If you're out and about but don't feel like talking, you can report incidents by SMS text. Operators will aim to respond to texts within 20 minutes.

By text relay: 18001 0800 138 1625
for people who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment.

By post: Stop Hate UK, PO Box 484, Leeds LS7 9BZ