Tram staff to wear bodycams to stop rise in abuse

Supertram conductors could start wearing body cameras following a rise in abuse from passengers

Tram conductors are to be issued with body-worn cameras to combat anti-social behaviour from passengers.

The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), which oversees the running of Sheffield's Supertram, said there had been nine incidents on the network between April and June, including verbal abuse and spitting.

The authority said it was also looking at doubling up conductors on certain services to improve safety.

It said it believed the recent introduction of new handheld ticketing equipment, allowing conductors to ensure passengers pay for their travel, had contributed to a rise in incidents.

In a newly published report, SYMCA said the number of assaults on frontline staff "continues to cause us the greatest concern".

Of the nine incidents, six were verbal, two physical and on one occasion an object was thrown by someone trying to avoid paying their fare.

“We are aware that the introduction of new handheld ticketing equipment has been a success in enabling conductors to get to all customers even on the busier services," the report states.

“Those customers who may have historically been able to travel without buying a ticket are now being asked to pay and as a consequence the level of confrontation has increased.

“We have delivered conflict awareness training which has been attended by all of our conductors.

“Further initiatives planned include the wearing of body cameras by our frontline team."

Tram employees in Manchester and Nottingham have worn bodycams for a number of years and the UK Tram Operations Group has said they help to identify offenders and secure prosecutions.

'Rowdy behaviour'

The authority has also release its latest figures for crime and disorder at bus and tram interchanges, including antisocial behaviour, violence, robbery and criminal damage.

Between April and June there were a total of 167 incidents, with Rotherham and Barnsley the main areas of concern for “rowdy or inconsiderate behaviour.”

It said 79 incidents were reported in Rotherham and 38 in Barnsley. A further 19 were reported at Meadowhall interchange.

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