MPA approves final details for new Transport Operational Command Unit

45/02
25 April 2002

The Metropolitan Police Authority today ratified a Special Services Agreement with Transport for London (TfL) setting out the contractural details of the Transport Operational Command Unit (TOCU) which will become fully operational on 10 June 2002.

The TOCU will have specific responsibility for policing agreed bus corridors on the London bus network and addressing associated criminal and anti-social behaviour, as well as taxi and private hire vehicle enforcement.

Funding for the entire operation is provided within TfL’s budget, estimated at £24,888,000 for 2002/03, and reimbursement to the MPA is to be made monthly. In addition there is provision that if additional ancillary costs are identified for the MPA, for example from increased use of MPS facilities outside of the Agreement (custody suites or other facilities), the contractual services be adjusted to offset such ancillary costs. 

Toby Harris, Chair of the MPA, said:

“This mutually beneficial partnership between the MPA and TfL, two key public service organizations in London, will deliver real results in terms of making the capital’s streets safer for us all and improving the reliability and safety of principal bus routes. 

“The scheme has already been successfully piloted on the 159 bus route, where police officers travelled on the buses to ensure passenger and staff safety, and this success encouraged us to develop the TOCU Agreement with TfL as a means of advancing our aim of making London’s streets safer. 

“MPA Members previously voiced concerns regarding operational, contractural and financial matters integral to the agreement, which have now been satisfactorily answered. 

“Crucially it is clearly identified within the Agreement that the operational discretion of the Operational Commander will in no way be compromised. The Authority will naturally closely monitoring the initiative to see how its measures are reducing crime.”

Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, said:

“I am pleased that the Metropolitan Police Authority continues to support the introduction of our Transport Operational Command Unit. Through Transport for London I am spending £25 million a year on this unit which will help the police crack down on crime, enforce bus lanes and enforce the law relating to taxi and private hire vehicles.”

A Combined Advisory Committee comprising representatives drawn from TfL and the MPA will be established with a remit to consider any future proposed variations to the Agreement, to monitor and assess the effectiveness of the TOCU and to offer advice as required. In line with the Agreement itself, the Committee will not impinge on the operational discretion of the Operational Commander. 

The Agreement will be for a period of five years, unless terminated by either party with twelve months notice, with annual reviews of the operation and effectiveness of the Agreement. 

The Authority’s approval to the Agreement, the final stage of developing the TOCU, enables MPA officials to conclude negotiations. 

Notes to editors

1. The overall aims of the TOCU Agreement are outlined below.

Objective 1 - Enable the public and staff to feel safe using bus services, bus stops and the roads on agreed routes and corridors by:

• providing high profile on-bus presence on defined routes/corridors and locations in order to deter crime and anti-social behaviour; 
• assigning staff to target and reduce criminal activity, focusing especially on activities of youths, including known problem routes/locations; 
• responding quickly and effectively to reports of assaults on staff and passengers and reports of public disorder on buses, at bus stops and bus stations;
• work with TfL and the other agencies on established educational initiatives (e.g. Buswise/Junior Citizen) to prevent anti-social behaviour occurring; and
• providing pro-active and reactive support to bus operators and TfL who wish to prosecute criminals and vandals identified on CCTV.

Objective 2 - Ensure the efficient movement of buses on agreed routes and corridors by:

• TOCU staff (Police Constables and Traffic Wardens/Auxiliaries) dealing with illegal obstructions on the highway to ensure the free flowing movement of buses and take other appropriate action to ensure the free movement of buses;
• TOCU staff to providing high profile presence in order to deter illegal parking and other road traffic offences to complement existing enforcement initiatives (including London Bus Initiative, Street Management Camera Enforcement and Revenue Protection Inspectors);
• ensuring road works are in accordance with licensing agreements (to the extent of MPA powers to do so) and are managed appropriately and timely and where necessary take positive action to maximise bus flows during any periods of associated disruption; and
• ensuring that red route, loading & parking box regulations are enforced and the level of warden presence is sufficient according to the needs of the location.

Objective 3 - Enforce the law relating to taxis and private hire vehicles by:

• Undertaking strategic enforcement operations against taxi touting as identified by the intelligence unit;
• Undertaking enforcement activity targeted at offences against taxi and private hire legislation;
• Maximise the co-ordination of MPS taxi activities with those of TfL Public Carriage Office (PCO) personnel addressing taxi and private hire operations and forming the focus for taxi and private hire activities within the MPS; and
• Establishing a Taxi Unit within the new Transport OCU to act as a single point of contact with the MPS for TfL (PCO) personnel.

2. Provisional Estimate of costs for Transport OCU

Financial Year 2002/03 (from commencement date)

This Provisional Estimate will be revised on a regular until 1 June 2002 whereupon it shall become the Estimate for 2002/03.

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