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Wednesday, 3 October 2023

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Travel and transport

Bus and coach safety

Buses are a great way of getting around. But there are certain steps you should take to ensure your safety while travelling, particularly if you are travelling at night or on your own.

Personal security

When travelling alone:

keep an eye on your bags
do not put your wallet in your back pocket
if you are a visitor to the area, try to keep your camera and map out of sight as much as possible

If you are travelling late at night:

check timetables to limit your waiting time
keep looking around you to make yourself less of a target for thieves
stay in well lit areas in and around bus stops and stations
arrange to be met from the bus if possible

Mobile phone safety

Take a few simple precautions to avoid having your mobile phone stolen. You can also make your phone difficult to use if it is stolen:

avoid talking on your mobile while walking
before taking out your mobile, check to see who is around and position yourself in a way that will make it difficult for thieves to approach you
try to be where a CCTV can see you
record the details of your mobile (its reference number and PIN)
always use the keypad lock function
register your mobile with the service provider
report a theft to the police and to your mobile service provider as soon as possible

Dealing with bus crime

Bus crime can range from assaults and anti-social behaviour to vandalism and other problems, like the behaviour of school children on school buses.

The bus industry is helping to tackle such crime. This includes fitting CCTV cameras, alarms and protective screens around drivers, as well as training staff to deal effectively with any incidents.

Crime against passengers is rare on buses but, if you do experience or witness such a crime, you should contact the police. In an emergency, call 999.

Find your local police station Opens new window

Accidents involving buses/coaches

The police are responsible for investigating all road traffic accidents.

If the police report that a collision may have been caused by a:

lack of maintenance, the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) may investigate the incident
design or construction fault, VOSA will instruct the manufacturer to carry out a safety recall