Written question asked by Jim Cunningham (Labour) on Thursday, 16 December 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 21 December 2004. It was answered by Tony McNulty (Labour) on Tuesday, 21 December 2004 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Dept for Transport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to combat vandalism on public transportation.

Answer: Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is taking to combat vandalism on public transportation. [206381] Mr. McNulty: The Safer Travel on Buses and Coaches Panel has been established to look at ways to combat vandalism, assaults and antisocial behaviour on buses and at bus stops and bus stations. The panel brings together bus operators, local authorities, police, unions, and other stakeholders to exchange and disseminate good practice in tackling problems caused by crime and antisocial behaviour around bus and coach travel. The Department also supports the work of the National Route Crime Group which is the cross- industry group set up to steer the rail industry's efforts to reduce the risks posed by trespass and vandalism on the railways. The Group includes representatives from the train operators, Network Rail, the Rail Safety and Standards Board, the British Transport Police, the Health and Safety Executive, the Office of Rail Regulation, Strategic Rail Authority, the Rail Passengers Council and the railway trades unions. As part of our work to reduce crime and the fear of crime wherever it occurs in the transport system, last year the Department published a briefing paper on tackling graffiti and vandalism on and around public transport.

Secondary information