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Live CCTV goes on trial in bid to beat travel violence
Pippa Crerar, City Hall Editor20 Oct 2008
LIVE screening of CCTV on London's buses was launched today in an attempt to help police improve security on public transport.
Boris Johnson announced there would be a six-month trial of the hi-tech system on one of the most problematic bus routes in the capital. The Standard has been asked not to reveal the north London route in order not to alter passenger behaviour.
The technology pioneered by the American military allows CCTV footage to be beamed via secure mobile networks from the buses to the central police and bus control room.
Transport for London officials and police can see what was happening on the top deck of buses, helping them to clamp down on anti-social behaviour.
They would be able to respond quickly to radio calls for assistance from drivers.
Mr Johnson said: "I want our public transport to become world renowned for its safety and I am determined to banish the sad minority of hoodlums and trouble makers that have blighted our buses."
Reader views (4)
Conductors guards and police with dogs are the way to go.
- Patrick, Singapore., 21/10/2008 02:36
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I hope the CCTV images are crystal clear. Too many times you see Crimewatch for example and an incident has occurred and the image is so grainy that when they have the suspect 100% the evidence is normally NOT strong enough to use in a court of law.
I also think you should clearly visualize that the bus is running Super clear CCTV to deter these would be unruly travelers from causing any trouble. Lots of people get on the bus and are too intimidated to go upstairs thus causing a bottleneck on the bottom deck and the bus driver dashing past bus stops thinking the bus is to full capacity.
A few years ago me and my girlfriend were on the top deck of the good-old “Routemaster” coming home from work when this psycho starts to shout at and verbally abuse this terrified woman. He then pulls out a home-made knife to her neck shouting profanities and threatening her. I attempted to help only for my girlfriend to STOP me from intervening.
We alerted the conductor who came to her aid only for this psycho to physically beat the conductor up and kick-him down the stairs and flee. The Police were on the scene very quickly were we gave statements but the CCTV was not working or up to scratch if I remember rightly.
Better CCTV may prevent these deranged people from thinking they can do as they please without ever being brought to justice!
- Robbie Maynard, London, 20/10/2008 17:12
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"I want our public transport to become world renowned for its safety"
I want eternal life and a submarine that can fly me to other planets, but like Mr Johnson's dream, it's very unlikely.
- Bob, Cheam, 20/10/2008 15:40
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Conductors armed with tear gas would be better than panoptican surveillance.
- Neil, london uk, Airstrip ONE ., 20/10/2008 11:39
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