POLICE in Bromley are preparing to launch the borough's biggest ever anti-street crime operation in the run-up to Christmas.

The crime-busting, proactive operations unit has won central Government funding for Operation Nicholas, aimed at stopping a predicted 40 per cent rise in street crime in December.

The project will focus on bus corridors, which make up about 80 per cent of the borough's 62 square miles, and officers have already met with bus companies, town centre bosses and crime prevention officers to talk tactics.

Real-time CCTV recording is likely to play a major role and rapid direct links will allow police to respond to urgent calls with maximum speed.

Street crime, which incorporates many robberies and types of violence, rose by 131 per cent last month and December usually sees the most offences.

Crime hotspots and problem bus routes are likely targets for uniformed and plainclothes officers.

Sergeant Darren Williams, the officer in charge of the operation, said: "No anti-street crime operation in Bromley has ever been this intelligence-led.

"We are liaising with transport companies and town centre management to enable us to find the criminals and apprehend them.

"We will be employing a variety of tactics to ensure officers are available to respond immediately to any intelligence we receive."

Stagecoach bus company CCTV manager Jim Henning says he is pleased and relieved the police will be helping keep buses and routes safe as Christmas approaches.

"In the Christmas build up, the number of passengers increases.

"And, unfortunately, so does the rowdyism and vandalism," he said.

"This can affect the safety and comfort of our passengers and drivers and delay services.

"Anything the police can do is fully appreciated.

"Forty five of our buses are fitted with up to 10 CCTV cameras, which could help apprehend offenders."

Anyone with information about street crimes or offences committed on buses, can call the proactive operations unit at Beckenham on 020 8284 8969 or you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

November 27, 2001 10:35

Sarah Warden