Councillor Richard MacRae Joins the Police and NET for a joint operation in Beeston.

Out in Beeston with the South Broxtowe Police and NET Ticket Inspectors this evening for a joint operation.

Following reports of anti social behaviour and people jumping on the Trams without tickets a joint operation took place this evening in Beeston.

Some weeks ago now a meeting took place at NET Headquarters and this was one of the issues talked about by the Police and Councillor Richard MacRae, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety.

Many £70 penalty notices were handed out by those who had not paid to ride the Tram.

One person who had got on at the stop before being caught without a ticket, that’s a £70 penalty notice.

One person used the app to pay for a ticket once we boarded the Tram, that’s another £70 penalty notice.

You need a physical ticket, to have swiped your bank card or used the app before boarding the Tram, or you can use your Bus Pass, this must also be swiped before boarding the Tram.

Many youngsters who would have otherwise used the Tram this evening without paying didn’t get a free ride tonight, that also helped to reduce the reported ASB on the Trams this evening.

I would like to add that the majority of people we spoke to this evening were all out to have fun or on the way home from work and many from Football. All happy to have a chat and were interested in what we was doing.

Sadly a small minority of youngsters were very rude, absolutely no manners and a sense of entitlement they seem to think they have, it is these people causing the trouble but this evening they were not given that opportunity.

So all in all a very successfully organised and ran joint operation showing that by working together we really do achieve more.

I called the initial meeting between NET and the Police after reading the comments on Beeston Updated and wanted to do something to make a difference in the area.

We have agreed to do this again and the next operation is already being finalised.

My advice is if using the Tram get a ticket. Don’t risk the £70 penalty notice.