To ask Her Majesty's Government whether there has been a significant reduction in disturbances on the London Underground and London Buses since the alcohol ban was introduced. [HL4062]

British Transport Police have reported that public disorder offences on the London Underground and Docklands Light Rail network fell by 4.5 per cent from 2007-08 to 2008-09. A similar indicator for London Buses does not exist, as the majority of bus incidents are reported directly to Transport for London Bus Control Room; which has seen a reduction in the number of reports of alcohol-related disturbances over the last six months. Reductions flow from a range of initiatives, including more visible policing, in addition to the alcohol ban.