Crime on London buses 'falls 18%'

The rollout of the teams began in October

London's mayor has said crime on buses has fallen to its lowest level for five years as he completed the rollout of safer transport police teams.

Boris Johnson said bus crime had gone down by 18% since he took office.

The mayor revealed the figures as he unveiled the 32nd and final team in Brixton in south London.

The units are made up of a sergeant, a constable and seven police community support officers (PCSOs) who patrol bus stations and routes.

'Extremely encouraging'

The first teams began work in October 2008, five months after Mr Johnson was elected.

"When I became mayor, I pledged to make buses, trains and stations safer," Mr Johnson said.

"It is extremely encouraging to see the positive effect these policing teams are having across the capital.

"Crime on buses has fallen in every single borough, and this is in no small part thanks to the increased number of officers around our transport network."

Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Rod Jarman said the policing teams had achieved "very promising initial results".