POLICE, transport chiefs and Wigan Council have launched a pioneering scheme to kick criminals off buses.

The first Public Transport Policing Unit in Greater Manchester was launched at Leigh Bus Station.

The £138,000 unit consisting of a liveried vehicle, two constables and four community support officers will focus on public and school buses.

Funded by GMPTE and Wigan MBC it was launched by Assistant Chief Constable Ian Seabridge, Councillor Roger Jones, chairman of GMPTA and Cllr Keith Cunliffe and the unit will target specific routes to deal with offenders.

ACC Seabridge, said: "We recognise the importance of addressing crime and anti-social behaviour affecting public transport. In recent years, this has become a real community issue and the new unit will demonstrate our commitment to working with local residents, councillors, operators and all of the agencies concerned to find swift and effective resolutions.

"Wigan is the first district in Greater Manchester to have established a dedicated unit to tackle this growing problem and, if the scheme is successful, we hope it will be replicated throughout the area."

Councillor Jones, Chair of the PTA said: ""Safety and security is one of the Authority's main priorities and this project is one of many ways in which we are working to improve safety and the perception of safety on public transport.

"We want people to have the confidence to use the public transport network and to feel comfortable doing so."

Wigan Council cabine member for community safety, Cllr Keith Cunliffe, said: "We want communities to have the confidence to use the transport network and I am confident that this unit will help us to achieve that goal."