Crime on Kingston buses fell steeply last year, but violence still accounted for a third of total bus offences in the borough, according to new data from the Metropolitan Police.

The figures, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, showed that violence against the person accounted for 94 of the 276 bus offences recorded in Kingston between January and November 2008, a 22 per cent fall from 2007.

Overall bus crime fell by 33 per cent, faster than the London average, with robbery, criminal damage and theft all recording double-digit reductions.

Sergeant Stephen Sharrock of the Kingston safer transport team said the number of violent crimes was not related to bars and clubs in the town centre.

He said: “We rarely get disorder on the late night buses, and most people get mini-cabs. Most reported assaults are against staff.”

Sgt Sharrock said the introduction of the safer transport team in June 2007 had helped bring crime figures down. The team currently has 50 members.

Tony Adams, chairman of the Kingston Area Travellers’ Association, welcomed the trends, but said problems remained. He said: “At school chucking out time buses are a no-go area. Still more needs to be done. We need more uniformed presence at these times.”

Edward Davey MP said the figures deserved two cheers. He said: “These figures confirm the success of the increased number of police now on buses. Yet there is clearly no room for complacency. While crime on buses is down across the board, we need to understand more about who and when any crime, particularly violent crime, is committed.”