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Bus operator First and police have run a poster competition in Bristol to raise awareness of vandalism on buses.
Pupils from city primary schools have designed posters for buses highlighting the problems of vandalism. Vandalism on buses costs First more than £4,000 a month,and can also raise the fear of crime, according to the operator. First and police launched the poster competition to coincide with the start of the summer holidays to encourage children to think of the consequences of vandalism and other anti-social behaviour on public transport. The six winnersโ entries are becoming A3 posters to go on buses.
What they say
PC Karen MacDonald, Schools Officer, Bristol District, said: โWe work very closely with First to try and decrease all types of crimes which occur on their services. Buses are, by their transient nature, very difficult to police, with them crossing police sector and district boundaries. We have worked on many initiatives, including covert operations and targeted campaigns using specific intelligence to bring down crime on buses. This campaign is about education to complement the enforcement techniques we also use. Getting the kids involved in this project means they not only have pride in seeing their work up on display for thousands of people to see, but also makes them think a little and talk with their friends about the consequences of vandalism. We hope this can lead to many more projects with First and local children to decrease vandalism and criminal damage on buses and the fear of crime it brings with it.โ
Bus priority
Jenny MacLeod First Area Operations Director in Bristol said โCustomer and staff safety is our top priority and thankfully there are few incidents of crime on our buses. However, vandalism can be a problem, itโs costly and often means we have to temporarily remove a bus from service, disrupting the service to our customers. Raising awareness of the consequences of vandalism can really help to combat the problem. We are always keen to support any police initiative which combats crime and reassures our customers. This campaign has been a great success, and the winning posters will displayed on buses in the south Bristol area very soon.โ
