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Night bus returns to reduce antisocial behaviour

Christine ButlerCornwall, Newquay
News imageBBC A policewoman in full uniform is stepping onto a red bus she is followed by a policeman who is wearing full uniform. The bus is about to pull off onto a roadBBC
Supt Jo Arundale, the East Cornwall Local Policing Area Commander and Insp Steve Johnson climb on board the Night Bus

A night bus service which has been running in Newquay over the last two summers is to return this year.

Partly funded by the Office of the local Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and delivered in partnership with local councils, businesses and the emergency services, the service this year will include a new route to Perranporth.

The scheme aimed to reduce drink and drug-driving, alcohol-related crime and antisocial behaviour; as well violence against women and girls, which had been a problem in the town, project heads said.

PCC Alison Hernandez said: "When we have our really busy towns in the summer, lots of people who are worse for wear for drink need ways to get home safely and affordably."

News imageA woman with a brown geometric bob smiles at the camera. She is wearing a white silk shirt with a dark grey jacket
PCC Alison Hernandez said she was "determined" to reduce antisocial behaviour

This summer, the Newquay-based service will run for two more weeks, from Saturday 23 May to Saturday 5 September.

In comparison, night bus services in Devon run the whole year round because of the demand, and a new route to Newton Abbot is to start later in the month.

Fares are capped at a maximum of £3 for a single journey.

'Safety for women'

Sector Inspector Steve Johnson, of Devon and Cornwall Police, based in Newquay, said the service would provide a "sanctuary" for women and girls after a night out.

"The bus station is in the centre of town, it's all on CCTV, and they can get safely to the bus where there's a bus driver and that should give them reassurance that they know they are looked after all the way home," he said.

Hernandez said: "I'm determined to reduce antisocial behaviour and public order offences.

"We've had nearly 30,000 passengers travelling on the night buses since we started in the Christmas of 2023.

"What that means we've had lots of people travel home affordably and we've got them out of the towns and cities quickly, safely and we haven't had one reported crime on the night bus," she said.

The service to Perranporth will stop at Treloggan, Crantock, Holywell Bay, and Goonhavern.

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