New police unit launched to keep people safe on the Bee Network

A new police command has been launched in a bid to tackle crime, anti-social behaviour, and dangerous driving across Greater Manchester.

The Transport Policing and Crime Command (TPACC) will bring together Greater Manchester Police (GMP), Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

The new unit will see more than 60 additional police officers working across the Bee Network, which includes buses, trams, and active travel routes.

It will also bring together GMP's existing Roads Policing Unit, with hundreds of officers involved in specialist areas including serious collision investigations and commercial vehicle enforcement.

The command is being funded through investment from the Mayor of Greater Manchester and aims to increase police visibility and improve responses to incidents across the transport network.

Greater Manchester Mayor Bev Craig said: “I want a world-class Bee Network where everyone feels safe. There is no place for crime, antisocial behaviour or dangerous driving in Greater Manchester.

“Our new dedicated transport policing command will bring together up to 300 police and safety officers, with high-profile patrols across our roads and the Bee Network. It means a stronger presence in our communities and faster action when people need help.

“TPACC will also crack down on dangerous driving to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads, which have devastating consequences for families and communities.”

Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson said: “TPACC represents a significant step forward in how we police and protect Greater Manchester's transport network.

“By bringing policing, intelligence and transport partners closer together than ever before, we can respond more effectively to incidents, increase visibility across the network and provide even greater reassurance to passengers.

“Our aim is to make the roads and public transport among the safest in the UK and we will work tirelessly in our efforts to achieve this on behalf of the public of Greater Manchester and beyond.”

The new command will also build on the existing TravelSafe LiveChat service, which allows passengers to report incidents discreetly using QR codes on buses and trams.

More than 2,000 reports have already been made through the service, with police responding to 800 incidents.

The wider initiative also supports Greater Manchester's ambition to eliminate deaths and serious injuries on its roads by 2040.