Passengers on buses and coaches throughout London and the South East are being promised more will be done to tackle crime and vandalism.

A new partnership between the police, bus operators and government departments aims to make travel safer.

The Safer Travel on Buses and Coaches Panel (STOP) has a mission to find ways to combat assaults, anti-social behaviour and vandalism on vehicles and property.

Since on-board police patrols were introduced on London's buses in June there have been about 250 arrests.

Advice issued

Minister for Transport John Spellar, who announced the scheme, said: "We know that crime and the fear of crime acts as a significant barrier to travelling on public transport.

"This new, official-level, group will deal specifically with bus and coach security issues and will work to bring together all those involved in dealing with the issue of safety."

The panel will also commission regular data and ad-hoc research into assaults, which it will use to discuss ideas and issue relevant advice to operators.

Its first meeting is due to be held in the autumn.