Camden New Journal - News: Bendy Buses 'helping thieves'

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Camden New Journal - By CHARLOTTE CHAMBERS
Published: 3 January 2008

Eddie Carey

Bendy buses ‘helping thieves’

A PENSIONER who was pickpocketed on the 29 bus has called for bendy buses to be scrapped.
Eddie Carey, 65, from Kentish Town, has been targeted by thieves four times in the past 12 months on the route.
He said. “If you were a professional thief and someone asked you what kind of bus you’d like to facilitate your profession, surely you couldn’t get any better than a bendy bus.”
Bendy buses were introduced by Transport for London in 2002.
Over Christmas, detectives, who recently described the 29 as “infamous”, launched a high-profile drive to try and catch boozy troublemakers aboard the route.
In the space of a year Mr Carey has had three purses stolen on the 29. He was last robbed two weeks ago when £100 was taken.
“When I got on I saw a little dog, a fellow and a girl on the seat. Then a woman with a large coat got on and got off at the next stop. I knew I’d made a mistake. I put my hand in my back pocket, the money was gone. I don’t know who took it.”
A Transport for London spokesman said: “Bendy buses are no less safe than modern double-decker buses.
“The introduction of bendy buses has improved accessibility for commuters with mobility difficulties and decreased boarding times.”

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