MORE than 360 fare dodgers were caught in a high-profile police crackdown on bus-related crime and disorder in Bolton.

Police officers and revenue inspectors working for bus company First checked 302 buses and 4,734 passengers during the three days of Operation Gateway.

Uniformed and plain-clothed police officers, police community support officers and Bolton Council town centre ambassadors joined passengers on some of the town's busiest bus routes.

The operation resulted in 364 passengers being given £20 fixed penalty notices for not paying fares.

Many of those caught had sneaked on to the buses, got on using a fake bus pass, or stayed on the bus for a longer journey than they had paid for.

Sgt Wayne Readfern, who led the campaign, said: "The operation was set up in response to passengers' concerns.

"We clamped down on fare dodgers, those using counterfeit transport passes or tickets and those travelling on the bus to commit crime."

The operation took place in Tonge Moor Road, Tonge Moor, on Thursday, February 22; Manchester Road, Farnworth, on Saturday, March 3, and Deane Road, Deane, on Monday, March 5.

The campaign was used to curb the criminal behaviour of known offenders, gather intelligence, provide reassurance to the public and reduce anti-social behaviour.

Sgt Readfern added: "It was a tremendous success and it is something we will look to repeat in the future."

Ten people were arrested by police officers for offences such as fraud and public order.

Two of the people arrested were wanted on warrant, one was arrested for breaching an anti-social behaviour order and one was arrested for possession of cannabis.

CCTV was also monitored at key points on the routes during the operation, which was run by Be Safe, the Bolton partnership working to reduce crime, disorder and drugs misuse; the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive; and bus operators Stagecoach and Arriva, as well as First Bus.