Business Travel Spit kits to catch offenders
West Midlands Safer Travel Police are catching more and more offenders using DNA from ‘spit kits’. West Midlands bus drivers have been given mini
DNA kits to help police track anyone who spits at them or their passengers. The DNA kits are proving to be increasingly
effective at identifying offenders and getting them in front of the courts. In March this year, 33-year-old Leon Boyle spat at
a bus driver before making his escape. DNA samples were taken from the driver’s
exposed arm and trousers. Leon appeared before Birmingham Magistrates
Court for spitting and other offences. He has been jailed for 35 weeks and fined £150.
‘Spitting at someone leaves a trail of DNA behind’
So far this year, 50 spitting incidents towards a member of staff have been reported in the West Midlands. The spit kits – which feature swabs, gloves and
sealed bags – allow staff to take saliva samples and protect them from contamination before sending them for forensic analysis. If the suspect is not on police computers, their
DNA is kept on the National Database forever. The case will be resurrected if the suspect is later arrested. PC Shaun Hickinbottom, the Investigation Officer
for Safer Travel said: “Spitting is a disgusting, despicable offence. Drivers and passengers should
There will be no spitting on the bus: PC Shaun Hickinbottom with a National Express driver and the ‘spit kit’
not be expected to tolerate it on our bus routes. “Spitting at someone leaves a trail of DNA behind
and these spit kit devises allows us to obtain irrefutable DNA evidence which help us track down offenders and secure convictions at court. “This is a criminal offence and we will deal with
this seriously. We have had cases of offenders being handed short jail sentences after spitting at passengers or bus staff.” Tom Stables, managing director of National
Express West Midlands, said: “My staff have the absolute right to work without being spat on. These DNA kits mean we can help police track these people down and make sure they face justice.”
Sector Focus
Aer Lingus fills New York void
Aer Lingus is adding 50,000 seats to its route from Birmingham to Dublin in a bid to attract passengers bound for North America. The Irish airline will increase
services from the Second City to its hub in Dublin from October, as it looks to fill a void for passengers travelling to the United States following United’s decision to end direct flights from Birmingham to New York. Mike Rutter, Chief Operating
Officer, Aer Lingus said: “Birmingham remains a critically important airport for us as we look to win business from Manchester and London. “We are hoping to fill the void left
by the removal of direct services to New York by offering passengers a simple connection via Dublin. “Birmingham is the third largest
market for traffic through Dublin to North America and we can offer gateway connections to many of the major cities.” Aer Lingus plans to introduce the
extra seats by bringing in its bigger Airbus A320 jets on to the Birmingham-Dublin route and extending its six-flights a day service from the summer into the winter season, which runs from November to the end of March.
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