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CCTV is now on the buses

From the Penarth Times, first published Thursday 7th Nov 2002.

PENARTH's bus drivers are fighting back after coming under attack from gangs of youth loaded with missiles.

Companies are taking the tough line after Vale services have been the target for teenagers throwing bottles and stones.

Now, Cardiff bus are stepping up their security with all vehicles carrying brand new hi-tech CCTV cameras as standard.

The company is also looking into whether it would be advisable to install the monitoring systems in some of the older buses as part of a retrospective programme.

In recent weeks the number of attacks on vehicles has soared.

Just last month, a driver was hurt after a bottle smashed through the side window while he was returning to the depot after work.

Luckily, he had just dropped off his last passenger so no-one else was hurt in the incident.

Some parts of the Vale of Glamorgan are sparsely populated and make late-night drivers and passengers easy targets.

It is hoped the new approach will increase safety for everyone.

According to a Cardiff Bus spokesman CCTV is being fitted to their new fleet as standard: "Our new fleet, which we took delivery of earlier this year, is fitted with CCTV as standard because it was an extra safety precaution available to us.

If there are incidents of violence on any of our routes, it is standard practice to terminate that service until the situation is resolved."

Managing Director of Cardiff Bus Alan Kreppel said: "CCTV has been so successful in various situations elsewhere, Cardiff Bus is working with our partners to examine how such a system could work on board our vehicles, making them even safer for passengers and staff alike."

PC Simon Rees of Barry police said: "We take all reports of assault very seriously. Any evidence taken from CCTV footage will obviously help to build a case against offenders."

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