Bus advertising campaign targets crime

Bedfordshire Police has teamed up with Arriva buses to launch an advertising campaign encouraging members of the public to help tackle and report crime.

The adverts include messages such as: ‘We catch criminals because someone tells us who they are. Can you help us stop another?’ and ‘Lock doors and windows. Don’t invite a burglar into your home’.

Placed inside buses, the adverts feature photographs of local offenders who have been recently convicted at court for burglary and robbery offences across the region and who are now in prison. It is hoped the campaign will make offenders at large, or those thinking of committing crime think twice.

Assistant Chief Constable Andrew Richer said: “By making offenders feel less assured we aim to put the fear of crime back onto them instead of the community. Seeing pictures of local offenders publicised in this way will make them and their associates feel uncomfortable, but we would rather that than have innocent members of the public feel that they have something to fear.

“The other aspects of the bus adverts are to remind people that crime continues to fall, down 6.5 per cent on last year, but there is still more they can do to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of crime.”

The adverts, costing £20,000, will run on the buses until September.

Mr Richer added: “In these times of austerity it is vital that every penny we spend has an impact. Increasing the public’s knowledge of crime reduction and personal safety while catching and convicting criminals is at the centre of our strategy to fight crime and protect the public. We hope people will see the adverts and take action to protect themselves and pass on information to help us protect the public at large.”