Essex transport safety officers to patrol public transport

Transport safety officers will patrol rail routes across Essex, as well as visiting bus stations

New safety officers are being deployed to tackle anti-social behaviour on Essex's public transport network.

The transport safety officers (TSO) would patrol rail routes across the county, as well as bus stations in Chelmsford and Basildon, police said.

They have been given powers to issue fixed penalty notices in response to anti-social behaviour offences.

Punishable acts under the £490,000 pilot scheme include smoking, littering and graffiti.

Funded by the Department for Transport, the initiative has been given the go-ahead to run until March 2025.

Jeff Appleby, from Essex Police, said the officers would help women and girls who feel "less comfortable" travelling through certain places or at specific times of day.

"If you do have concerns about anything you see on our transport network, you can report them directly to a TSO or a police officer," he said.

Those in need of an immediate emergency response should dial 999, Mr Appleby added.

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