A SAFE streets programme that has led to incidents on and around the Oldham Metrolink dropping by 19 per cent has scooped an award.

The Safer Streets programme won the Transforming and Innovating Public Services Award at the iNetwork Innovation Awards on Thursday May 19. 

Launched in December 2021, Safer Streets is a half a million-pound investment in a series of schemes launched and tested on the tram network and at key stops to respond to the issues raised by women and girls.

The programme has resulted in a 19 per cent decrease in overall incidents on and around the Oldham Metrolink, with an average 25 per cent month on month reduction in female victim offences.

There has also been a 600 per cent increase in incident reporting on the Metrolink.

Funded by £549,744 from the Home Office, the programme has been delivered in partnership by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), Oldham Council, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and Oldham College.

The programme has included the launch of the Trusted People scheme in Oldham, which sees the Street Angels and youth workers out and about on the network, to educate and engage people and increase safety and reassure the public.

The project has also seen investment in a drone, which is being used across key locations to keep women and girls safe on their journeys home, the rollout of a poster campaign, designed by an Oldham College student, across tram stops in Oldham which challenges inappropriate behaviour and encourages people to report it, and training on how to respond to incidents for TravelSafe officers and tram drivers.

Commenting on the programme, Sayyed Osman, deputy chief executive of Oldham Council, said: “As a council we are committed to ensuring our communities feel safe when they are out and about, including when they use public transport.

“Over the last few months our Youth Service and the Oldham Street Angels have carried out some great work as part of the Trusted People initiative, offering reassurance, and providing a friendly face, to people of all ages.

“In addition to this, we’re currently in the process of installing 51 CCTV cameras at locations around five Metrolink stops near the town centre to help passengers and residents feel safer and more confident when using the local tram network.”