Robbery warning to pupils on buses

Aug 31 2007 By Mark Cowan, Birmingham Mail

CHILDREN returning to school after the summer holidays are the targets for a new anti-robbery blitz by police and bus chiefs.

Officers traditionally see an increase in offences as the holidays end and children return to school with birthday presents and gifts from their travels.

From next week they will be mounting high visibility patrols on key bus routes during the time pupils travel to and from school.

A large number of muggings investigated by police involve attacks by schoolchildren on their classmates.

Expensive gadgets including mobile phones and MP3 players are top of the list of most stolen items.

Under the operation, code-named Jevonta, police will be working with bus companies and Birmingham Educational Welfare Officers will also be stationed at bus stops outside major schools, giving pupils crime reduction advice.

Sgt David Postin, from the police Safer Travel team, said: "This time of year there is a rise in thefts of mobile phones and electrical equipment.

"There are a lot of new school pupils who may be less aware of crime prevention, which makes it the perfect time to run this operation.

"Operation Jevonta is aimed at making pupils feel as safe as possible on their travels."

He added: "By working with partners like Travel West Midlands and Centro we aim to provide a safe environment on the bus network.

"We hope that any potential robbers will be deterred from committing offences on the buses due to the presence of both uniformed and plain clothed officers."

Travel West Midlands revenue inspectors will be working alongside the police and officers will be using a drugs dog to check bus travellers.

Representatives from Pupil Watch, the organisation that targets truancy, will also take part.