Police Board Birmingham's Number 74 Bus in Crackdown on Most Violent Route
A significant enforcement operation unfolded along one of the West Midlands' most violent bus routes, as officers from multiple agencies targeted crime on the No.74 service. West Midlands Police, British Transport Police, and the multi-agency Safer Travel team patrolled the route on Tuesday, February 17, in a concerted effort to enhance public safety.
Targeted Action on High-Risk Route
From 8am, the enforcement team assembled at a bus stop on Constitution Hill, opposite St Paul's tram stop, where they immediately began removing passengers suspected of fare evasion. The officers then boarded buses along the No.74 route, which runs from Dudley to Birmingham, with key stops including Hockley Circus, Island Road, West Bromwich, Great Bridge, Sedgley Road East, and Ednam Road in Dudley.
The 74 service has topped the list for violence, with a total of 62 offences reported to police between July and the end of December. The most common crime was violence against the person during attacks or fights, which was reported on 21 occasions, closely followed by 20 thefts. At other times, passengers may have chosen to suffer in silence, not wanting to cause a disturbance.
Police and Operator Responses
West Midlands Police emphasized that the chances of being a victim of crime on a bus are "very low" and noted that officers have stepped up patrols around the transport network. A National Express West Midlands spokesperson previously stated: "Figures show the chances of becoming a victim of crime on a bus are very low. With around four million passenger journeys made on National Express West Midlands buses each week, it means there is only one crime for every 60,000 bus rides taken every week."
However, the spokesperson added: "Any incident that puts our colleagues and passengers at risk is one too many. We are part of the West Midlands Safer Travel Partnership and work very closely with Policing teams, using a variety of tactics to help tackle crime and antisocial behaviour across the public transport network."
Safety Measures for Passengers
Passengers are advised to always dial 999 if there is an urgent crime or an emergency. Alternatively, they can use the Safer Travel’s See Something, Say Something service to discreetly report non-emergency incidents. This involves texting SeeSay and details of the incident, including time, date, location, and route number, to 81018.
Revenue Inspectors were also part of the enforcement operation along the number 74 route, highlighting the multi-faceted approach to improving safety and compliance. This crackdown reflects ongoing efforts to address concerns on what has been identified as a problematic route, ensuring that public transport remains a secure option for all commuters in the region.
