BUS drivers in Wrexham will be issued with DNA swab kits in a bid to combat anti-social behaviour on buses.
The kits will be used to collect samples of saliva if the drivers are spat on and the swabs passed on to the police.
The evidence can be used by North Wales Police to help trace offenders via the national DNA database.
If no immediate match is found a record of the DNA will be stored and can be used in a future arrest.
Cllr David Bithell, lead member for environment and transport, said: “Public transport in Wrexham is safe; however, there is always a small risk that drivers may suffer from anti-social behaviour or an attack on the vehicle.
“This scheme will make both drivers and passengers feel safer and will help the police catch the perpetrators quicker.
“The use of DNA swab kits will act as a further deterrent to those who are thinking of committing crime on our transport system.”
TravelSure is a partnership between Wrexham County Borough Council, Community Safety Partnership and bus operators.
It was set up in December 2007 as a reporting mechanism for bus drivers and passengers to report anti-social behaviour and crime without dialling 999.
It allows the information provided by the bus operators and members of the public to be locally compiled and analysed.
Martin Wright, chief transportation and asset management officer, said: “TravelSure is an extremely effective way of gathering information and intelligence for the police to use.
“The new scheme will strengthen our partnership and shows our commitment to making public transport safe for everyone.”
