Stoke-on-Trent to get public transport safety officers

Transport Safety Officers have already been in operation for Transport for West Midlands

Transport safety officers (TSOs) will be patrolling buses and trains in a bid to reduce the risk of anti-social behaviour.

Anne Shaw from Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) said the fear of violence and intimidation on public transport was a barrier for some people, especially women.

Stoke-on-Trent is one area to receive government funding for the trial.

The first recruits are expected to start in the new year, the DfT said.

The city will share £2.5m funding with Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole; Lancashire and Thurrock.

The TSOs are able to issue fixed penalty notices for antisocial behaviour, but it has not yet been confirmed how many will be employed in Stoke-on-Trent.

Ms Shaw said such incidents were "thankfully low".

But she said visible safety officers "have proved a huge success in keeping people safe, both through directly tackling anti-social behaviour or simply providing a reassuring presence on board."

At the same time, TfWM will receive funding to expand its own TSO scheme.