‘Trojan bus’ helps Cambridgeshire police catch vandals

A ‘Trojan bus’ masterminded by the mayoral body in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough has helped police catch vandals.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, led by Mayor James Palmer, worked with Stagecoach and Cambridgeshire police to bring about the arrests of people vandalising buses in Cambridge by coming up with the idea of a ‘Trojan bus’.

This is a normal bus, running not in service, containing plain clothes police offers who were able to draw up alongside people unnoticed.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The combined authority said it is “keen to use the concept of a ‘Trojan bus’ again in the future”.

The 'Trojan bus' used to catch the vandalsThe 'Trojan bus' used to catch the vandals
The 'Trojan bus' used to catch the vandals

This could include in Peterborough where recently buses have had windows smashed on five occasions.

The combined authority reached out to Cambridgeshire police with the ‘Trojan bus’ idea which Stagecoach provided after reports that buses were being diverted off the guided Busway south of the city due to a dozen of them having their windows smashed by vandals.

Travelling in the bus, police were able to make arrests of people participating in anti-social behaviour and breaching national Covid-19 restrictions.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mayor Palmer said: “This is a great example of local organisations working together in the interests of the public.

“Anti-social behaviour on our public transport will not be tolerated and I am glad that we were able to help restore safety to the bus network. Buses are a vital part of our community and I would like to thank our local police and Stagecoach for their work in bringing peace of mind to the public.”

Sergeant Kiri Mazur from Cambridgeshire police said: “Officers from the local neighbourhood team were delighted to be able to work with Stagecoach in this way and are also grateful to the combined authority for their assistance with organising the patrol.

“We hope that this work has reassured the community and the bus companies of our commitment to tackling anti-social behaviour in the area, and we look forward to working alongside Stagecoach again in the future.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Michelle Hargreaves, managing director for Stagecoach East, said: “Following the recent incidents of vandalism on our buses we worked alongside Cambridgeshire police to provide one of our buses to assist in a covert operation.

“We will continue to work closely with the police to aid their ongoing investigation.

“We want to thank all our staff involved in safely carrying out this operation, particularly our Busway driver on the night, Alex Vose, who volunteered to help with the initiative. The safety of our drivers and customers is of the upmost importance and acts of vandalism will not be tolerated.”