Issue Date: 22 March 2006

No: 44

London Central is pleased to announce its latest initiative to catch and deter people who assault our drivers by spitting at them.

Special DNA testing kits have been issued to all our drivers at our Bexleyheath Garage enabling them to report incidents which, coupled with the CCTV footage from the bus, will assist local police in identifying offenders and pressing charges.

The kits contain gloves, an evidence bag and two sterile swabs to allow staff to preserve the saliva and hand it over to police for testing. If spat on, the driver can collect a sample which can be matched with details contained on the National DNA database.

Karl Blair, Bexleyheath Garage General Manager, said “We are working in close liaison with the police in an attempt to improve the working environment for our staff and also the experience of travelling by bus for our passengers. Spitting is an extremely offensive form of assault and we will be actively pursuing any offenders identified.”

Notes to Editors

1. For further information on the above initiative please telephone our Risk Manager, Andrew Smith, on 020 8545 6100.

2. London Central employs 420 driving staff at Bexleyheath Garage.

3. Bexleyheath Garage operates over 160 buses on behalf of Transport for London in Bexley and the surrounding area.

4. All vehicles operated from Bexleyheath Garage are fitted with digital CCTV cameras.

5. Bexleyheath Garage received a Bus Industry Award for its ‘Shop a Yob’ scheme operated in conjunction with local police. For further details please contact Karl Blair on 01322 304142.

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