App launched to drive out public transport violence
A mobile app has been launched in an effort to make public transport safer across the Northumbria Police area.
The new app, titled Safer Transport Northumbria, has been officially launched on Friday, December 10 by the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner (PPC), Kim McGuinness, the app is part of an ongoing ‘Safer Streets’ commitment to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls and improve safety on public transport.
Members of the public are being urged to download the app, with the aim to make it easier for anyone travelling anywhere in the region to flag concerns for your own or another’s safety.
The app will allow people to quickly tell Northumbria Police about incidents, get support for yourself and others in the event that they feel likethatcannotdial999or101.
To further improve everyone’s safety, it also provides quick access up-to-date travel informationtohelpwithmaking travel plans.
The new app is a result following a culmination of support from Northumbria Police,localcouncilsandtravelcompaniesintheNorthEast – with all of them urging people to download it.
PCC Kim McGuinness has revealed what people can expect from the new app after it was discovered that people across the region commented that they feel the least safest at night.
She commented: “It is something that I’m really
proud of because it is something that people have told us that they want to see.
"We know that people feel the least safe when they’re moving around our area on public transport, particular at night time and so this app responds to that. ”We’ve got, Neuxs, all of the bus companies firmly involved with it to make sure that it is a success.
"What it means is that if you’removingaroundonpublictransportoraroundourarea and you don’t feel safe but
you don’t think that it is okay foryoutotakeyourphoneand ring 999 or 101, you make just log onto the app, tell us where youareandwhat’sgoingon–it is there to keep you safe.”
Kim expressed her sadnessatthefactthatanappwas needed in the modern age to help make people, in particular women and girls, feel safer when they are out and about.
She said: "For me, rather than continuing to talk about it, I want to do something about it so now we’ve got this app.”