Cop patrols to stay on Glasgow Subway

Subway operator Strathclyde Partnership for Transport has announced a four-year, £317,000 contract with British Transport Police.

The company said the two-month pilot - which involved two officers policing the system daily - was "warmly welcomed by staff and passengers".

The work of the officers included crowd control on football match days, giving crime prevention advice and public safety.

During the trial, which started in January, the officers made arrests and had a 47% detection rate. A spokesman for BTP said there had been 35 incidents during the trial period, of which 19 had been detected.

Officers dealt with a seriously injured man who had been struck by a train, reports of staff threatened by abusive passengers, drunk and disorderly behaviour and cases of vandalism and theft.

It was the first time police had been used on the 110-year-old Subway.

SPT head of security Donnie Macleod said: "Passenger safety remains our top priority.

"Often the fear of crime is much greater than the actual reality, so by having officers policing the system on a daily basis, we are providing visible and effective reassurance to our passengers."

Superintendent Ronnie Mellis, area commander for British Transport Police in Scotland, added: "The trial period went extremely well and we are pleased that we will now be working with SPT on a permanent basis.

"BTP is experienced at policing this environment and our officers bring a wealth of skills and experience to the Subway.

"We will not tolerate crime or disorder on the rail network and will continue to work closely with SPT and colleagues from Strathclyde Police to ensure the safety of staff and passengers."

The two officers will be able to call for support from British Transport Police or Strathclyde Police.

The pilot scheme was announced after a review of security by a team which worked with US airports after the September 11 attacks.

The Subway carries 13million passengers a year.