New police command for roads and surface transport in London

The Metropolitan Police has created a new, single police command created to further improve the safety and security of London’s roads, bus network and other surface transport services. 

More than 2,300 Police and Police Community Support Officers will work closely with Transport for London (TfL) as part of a new Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Roads and Transport Policing Command (RTPC), making it the largest police command in the UK.

Capable of delivering hundreds of thousands more hours a year of road safety activity than before, the new part TfL funded command will be more flexible, with all officers having the responsibility for reducing crime, congestion and collisions. The Command will make roads safer for cyclists and pedestrians, further improving the safety of the taxi and private hire trades and clamping down on illegal touting.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “Improving roads and public transport safety is one of my top priorities. This new command means that for the first time ever we now have a single team focusing on doing just that.

"As we've seen from targeted initiatives such as Operation Safeway, this is a group of officers that can mobilise in large numbers to deliver impressive results and changes in behaviour. Metropolitan Police officers on the transport beat have a hugely challenging job and I applaud them for the sterling work they do.

"With this new command they're now in a position to help ensure that more people can get from A to B safely and securely."   

MPS Commander Stephen Watson, said: “The Met enjoys a first class partnership with TfL in ensuring that the millions of people who use London's transport system every day are kept safe and that our networks are secure and reliable.

"Much has already been achieved through our joint efforts and we are confident that this new and fully integrated command will enable us to build on a legacy of success. The fact that there were over 2000 fewer victims of crime on the bus network during the last 12 months alone demonstrates the importance and the effectiveness of our work.