Police to tackle youth bus crime

Extra police officers are patrolling buses in 20 London boroughs to tackle anti-social behaviour among youths.

Operation Goldfinger will see a police presence on buses throughout the day until the early evening during the final two weeks of the school term.

On-the-spot penalty fines will be issued for anti-social behaviour and fare evasion, police said.

Graffiti, etching on windows and defacing seats are all classified as criminal damage.

The campaign is being operated by the Transport Operational Command Unit of the Metropolitan Police with support from Transport for London (TfL).

The boroughs which will be covered by the campaign are Bexley, Brent, Bromley, Camden, Croydon, Ealing, Enfield, Greenwich, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Haringey, Islington, Kingston, Hounslow, Lambeth, Lewisham, Newham, Tower Hamlets, Redbridge and Southwark.

Supt David Wildbore said: "Anti-social behaviour creates an intimidating atmosphere for passengers and increases the fear of crime.

"Operation Goldfinger is about reducing this anti-social behaviour, and increasing public safety and confidence."

A similar campaign will run at the beginning of the next school term.