Undercover cops join crackdown on tram louts
PLAIN-CLOTHES OFFICERS MINGLE WITH COMMUTERS TO SNIFF OUT TROUBLEMAKERS
UNDERCOVER cops are being used as part of a new tactic to catch criminals and stamp out anti-social behaviour on Metrolink and the rest of Greater Manchester public transport network.
They are being dispatched to tram stops as well as bus and rail stations to mingle with commuters before a squad of uniformed colleagues arrives.
The undercover officers swoop when they see anything untoward.
Launched on November 18, it has already seen a crackdown on drunks whose behaviour often frightens other transport users and has resulted in a number of arrests.
It represents a major turnaround for GMP bosses who realised the team of 50 PCSOs who had been patrolling the tram network since 2017 were struggling to cope with the drunkenness, violence and loutish behaviour.
On Wednesday night, the squad arrested a man who had been spotted trying to hide behind others on the platform at Trafford Bar tram stop and found he was wanted and had been on the run for eight months.
The officer who made the arrest posted a picture of the suspect being led away in handcuffs on the GMP’s Trafford South Facebook page and wrote that the man ‘didn’t expect to literally bump into plain-clothed officers on trying to make his escape.’
After seeing uniformed officers, the 30-something tried to hide and get away only to find an officer in plain clothes was right behind him.
The arrest prompted an outpouring of praise on the Facebook page.
It’s one of a series of positive results for the fledgling ‘Transport Unit’ of GMP.
The team has also located a missing girl and taken her home.
A 44-year-old man was cautioned for being intoxicated on a tram, failing to provide his details and resisting arrest.
A 41-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly at Victoria Station. He was handed a ‘community resolution’ requiring him seek help for alcohol use and bans him from Manchester Arena while intoxicated.
The new 50-strong ‘transport unit’ also has a remit to tackle rogue motorists.
A 31-year-old woman was arrested and charged on suspicion of drink-driving on Newton Street in the city centre. Another motorist was caught driving in the dark without lights. Superintendent Julie Ellison said: “The team is made up of police officers and this provides us with more powers to address issues on the transport network that cause road and public network users concern.
“The team will be working shifts and providing a visible presence across Greater Manchester on a daily basis.” Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester Bev Hughes said: “I am really pleased that the new transport unit is now up and running to help keep the people of Greater Manchester safer across our transport networks. “The changes are partly-funded through increasing council tax, responding to residents’ calls for tougher policing on the transport network.”