Transport bosses and police have praised a tram traveller who helped bring a man stealing money from ticket machines to justice.
The man wearing a red jacket was seen on CCTV stealing cash from the machines at the Freehold platform in Oldham.
He has since been locked up for going equipped to steal and theft, and Transport for Greater Manchester took to Twitter to praise the commuter who helped provide important evidence.
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GMP Chadderton said on Facebook: "Thanks to public alerting Transport Unit to a suspect in red jacket stealing money from ticket machines at Freehold platform.
"@MCRMetrolink CCTV worked with officers responding from the city to get this male detained quickly. Locked up for going equipped and theft @OfficialTfGM."
Kate Green, TfGM’s TravelSafe partnership manager, said, “We would like to thank the member of the public who did the right thing and reported this suspicious behaviour to the police.
“Reporting the activity gave enough time for Metrolink staff to track the suspect, using the network-wide CCTV system, and then direct two members of the GMP Transport Unit to intercept and detain the individual.
“When you consider our extended network of CCTV, the fact the control room is staffed 24/7 and that more and more people are now using contactless travel – which means less cash in our machines, which are emptied regularly anyway – the risks of this type of behaviour far outweigh any very limited gains that might be had.
“This is another great example of GMP and Metrolink working together to ensure passengers can travel safely on the network.”
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