Operation BusTag on Hunt for Vandals

CCTV images released in relation to damage on local bus routes

Operation Bus Tag, the unit responsible for tackling criminal damage on buses has released a number of CCTV images of people they wish to speak to.

Three images have been released in relation to the damage to buses in the Ealing area.

Police are most anxious to contact those people shown in the CCTV images because they believe they can help with enquiries.

If anyone believes they can identify any of those people they can make contact anonymously on the following telephone numbers: OPERATION BUSTAG Tel: ( 020 ) 7027-8950. CRIMESTOPPERS Tel: 0800 555 111

The people seen in the photographs used on this page or linked to from this page are not necessarily directly connected with the offences under investigation. Their presence in the photographs may be entirely innocent.

Operation BusTag is a Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Investigation Unit set up in November 2004 by the Metropolitan Police Service's Transport Operational Command Unit to tackle criminal damage being committed on London's buses. The MPS Transport Operational Command Unit was set up in 2002 to fight crime on buses, tackle illegal taxi touts; and assist with the control of traffic congestion - there are now more than 1,200 uniformed officers in the unit. The Transport Operational Command Unit itself is funded by Transport for London at a cost of more than £70 million.

By the end of 2005 Transport for London fitted all of London's 8000 buses were with fully recording CCTV and there are now as many as 60,000 cameras fitted on the fleet. Since it started in November 2004 Operation BusTag has achieved over 1800 arrests for criminal damage.

Chief Superintendent Joe Royle, Transport Operational Command Unit said, "Operation BusTag is an effective tactic in confronting people who commit acts of bus criminal damage and anti-social behaviour. Criminal damage is a huge cost to the public purse and we treat these offences very seriously. If you commit acts of vandalism on London buses you will be caught with the help of CCTV."

The Transport OCU has recently made a film for distribution to all of London’s secondary schools. It has been sent to all the MPS’ Safer Schools Officers and Safer Neighbourhoods Officers, who will distribute the film.

Graffiti Route 282 Boards: 1209 @ Ruislip Rd. Ealing. Alights: 1216 @ Church Rd. Ealing 20/11/2006	Graffiti Route 65 Boards: 1154 @ High Street, Ealing. Alights: 1225. Richmond Bus Stn. 10/05/2007
Graffiti Route 65 Boards: 1341 @ Ealing B/Way. Alights: 1355 @ Kew Bridge Rd 24/01/2007	Graffiti Route E1 Boards: 1614 at Haven Rd Ealing B/Way. Alights: 1625. Greenford Av Hanwell 07/02/2007
Etching Route E3 Boards: 2059 @ Popes Lane, Ealing. Alights: 2110. Southfield Rd Chiswick. 28/01/2007	Graffiti Route 282 Boards: 1630 @ Ealing Hospital. Alights: 1702. Field End Rd Eastcote. 29/04/2007
11634 - Etching. Route E3 Boards: 0054 at Northfield Avenue Ealing. Alights: 0108 @ Southfield Rd Chiswick. 08/10/200721/09/2007	11581 - Etching. Route 607 Boards: 1736 at Uxbridge Rd Hayes Grapes. Alights: 1810 at Acton High St.
11445 - Graffiti Route 607 Boards: 2059 at Uxbridge Rd Acton Vale. Alights: 2118 at Uxbridge Rd W. Ealing . 01/09/2007

October 23, 2007