Awareness campaign launched for public transport.

13/9/05

Premier Geoff Gallop today called on Perth's public transport users to take a more active role in the fight against terrorism.

Launching a major advertising campaign urging commuters to report suspicious activity, Dr Gallop said the public could provide vital information in helping prevent a terror attack.

"If you see something, say something - alert security, the driver or other PTA personnel, or a police officer," the Premier said.

"To maintain adequate levels of security in the current climate you need three things - highly-trained security people, modern technology and an informed and aware public.

"We are very happy with the quality of our security people and we have some of the best CCTV and monitoring technology in the world.

"We are locking up the third leg of this security trifecta by providing some simple guidelines for our customers."

The Public Transport Authority - especially Transperth, which operates all public bus, train and ferry services in the greater metropolitan area - has been upgrading security on its services and infrastructure for several years.

Using on-train posters, the authority has had a public education and awareness campaign in place since the Madrid bombings early last year, based on the 'Be alert, not alarmed' message.

"We are now upgrading that campaign and expanding it to buses, stations and interchanges," Dr Gallop said.

"This enhanced program is based on the successful 'See Something, Say Something' campaign developed in New York, and similar to those recently announced in Victoria and New South Wales."

The Premier said the campaign would be public transport-specific and would include:

• radio advertising;
• posters on/in/around public transport services;
• newspaper advertisements;
• individual, targeted leaflet distribution, including a pocket card; and
• staff training.

The awareness campaign will start rolling out this week.