Tees Valley Combined Authority: New partnership to support safety on public transport

A fresh push to ensure more people on our region's transport network are safer has been launched.

The Tees Valley Transport Safety & Security Partnership brings together companies and organisations to work together to improve safety and security for all passengers on our network.

The partnership will work together to provide a clear voice for Tees Valley transport users, sharing intelligence to improve security and protect our network for everyone using it.

Tees Valley Combined Authority will join forces with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cleveland, the Cleveland Unit for the Reduction of Violence (CURV), Cleveland Police, Durham Police, British Transport Police, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Durham, bus operators, rail operators and the Confederation of Passenger Transport.

It comes as a Standards of Behaviour campaign gathers momentum, developed by CURV and with the backing of the partnership.

Cllr Steve Harker, Chair of the partnership and TVCA Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure, said: People using our buses and trains have a right to feel safe at every stage of their journey. Bringing partners together in this way means we can share information, respond quickly to issues and take a consistent approach across the network.

This is about making sure concerns are acted on and standards are clear. By working closely with police, operators and our partners, we can improve safety and give passengers the confidence they expect when travelling across the Tees Valley.

The partnership will develop co-ordinated strategies shaped by passenger feedback to improve safety and security.

It will also carry out regular risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities and put in place measures to reduce them, while developing consistent security plans across bus, rail and other transport services.

There will also be a strong focus on training and awareness to ensure staff across the network are equipped with the right skills and knowledge.

The partnership will also work together to adapt to new and evolving challenges, using innovative approaches to stay ahead of risks, while also strengthening our region's wider infrastructure to better protect passengers from crime and other threats.

The next meeting of the partnership will take place on 21st July 2026.

Matt Storey, Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner, said: Almost a thousand residents took part in our survey on public transport last year, raising significant concerns and worries about crime and safety whilst travelling via bus, train and taxi. I'm pleased that we're working together as a partnership to listen to these community concerns and develop solutions that work. The media campaign led by CURV is a great start to remind people that unacceptable behaviour will not be tolerated.

Joy Allen, Durham Police and Crime Commissioner, said: A safe transport network is critical for strong and thriving communities. This partnership supports my prevention-first approach and will step up coordinated work to stop crime and anti-social behaviour before it happens, creating a safer, more welcoming and confident experience for all travellers, particularly women and girls.

Protecting women from Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in public places including our transport systems is a key commitment in my Police, Crime and Justice Plan. The launch of the Partnership will play a significant role in the delivery of this pledge and contributes to our ongoing work to fulfil the Government's mission to halve VAWG in a decade. Importantly, it places transport users at the centre of our security plans and gives them a key role to play in the design of future solutions.

Mary-Anne Snowdon, British Transport Police Inspector, said: Keeping people safe as they travel on the railway is our number one priority, and our officers patrol stations and trains in the Tees Valley area day and night to deter crime. Working with our colleagues in partnerships like the Tees Valley Transport Safety & Security Partnership is a vital piece of our work, and we'd encourage anyone who needs us on their journey to text us on 61016.

Gavin Miller, Operations Manager of Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT), said: This collaboration between operators, and key stakeholders, ensures that those using public transport across the Tees Valley can do so more safely, and more confidently. Working together to develop meaningful, common approaches, we will share knowledge and expertise, ensure that staff receive better training, communicate to assure passengers, and ensure that appropriate action is taken to both deter and deal with anyone who brings anti-social behaviour of any form to our network.

John Rochford, Operations Director at Arriva, said: "Our customers deserve to feel safe and confident whenever they choose public transport. That's why we're proud to be working alongside partners who share our commitment to creating a welcoming environment where everyone is treated with respect.

"By working together, sharing expertise and taking a joined-up approach, we can continue to improve the experience for customers and help make travelling across the Tees Valley safer for everyone.

Steve Walker, Managing Director of Stagecoach North East, said: The safety and security of our customers and colleagues is always our highest priority. This partnership brings together organisations with a shared commitment to creating a transport network where everyone feels safe, respected and confident when travelling. By working collaboratively, sharing insight and taking a consistent approach, we can help deliver an even safer and more welcoming experience for customers across the Tees Valley.

Daniel Laird, Head of Commercial for Go North East, said: We are committed to ensuring our customers and colleagues feel safe, supported and respected whenever they travel or work on our services. This partnership is a positive step in bringing operators, police and local partners together to share insight, support frontline teams and give customers even greater confidence when travelling across the Tees Valley.

Paul Bennett, Northern's Safety and Environment Director, said: We're working closely with this partnership to ensure we're doing everything we can to make customers feel safe when they're travelling on our services. We always welcome feedback from our customers and encourage them to report any anti-social behaviour or criminal offences to the British Transport Police.