New police team arrives in east London

It s going to get harder to get a seat on Barking s buses and trains from now on - a new police team has arrived. Police have launched a new team to patrol the transport system around the town centre and the railway station. The unit - part of the borou

It's going to get harder to get a seat on Barking's buses and trains from now on - a new police team has arrived.

Police have launched a new team to patrol the transport system around the town centre and the railway station.

The unit - part of the borough's Police Safer Transport Team - is nine-strong, and includes a sergeant, a constable and seven police community support officers (PCSOs).

Their aim is to be a highly visible presence to discourage crime, disorder, and anti-social behaviour as part of London Mayor, Boris Johnson's plan to flood the transport system with deterrents.

Mr Johnson said: "One of my absolute top priorities has been to address the lack of security that Londoners, especially those in outer suburbs, felt when using our public transport."

Officers will work with transport staff, officers and passengers to address safety issues.

The team is being funded by Transport for London and the Metropolitan Police, and is based in the town centre.

Steve Burton, Director of Community Safety Enforcement and Policing at TfL, said: "We have no doubt that this policing boost in Barking will act as a deterrent to those who intend to commit crimes in the area, as well as helping to make people feel safer and more secure."

The new initiative was launched at Barking Bus Garage in Longbridge Road, last week.