LONDON'S top brass have been on the streets of Bexley to launch one of the first teams in the capital aimed at combating crime and disorder on public transport.

Mayor Ken Livingstone, who has funded an extra 378 PCSOs for the Safer Transport project, was in Bexleyheath to see one of the first teams in action.

He was joined by Met Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair for the launch.

Bexley's share will be 18 PCSOs, who will work with at least two police sergeants and a constable.

They will be a high-visiblity presence on Bexley's buses and around the transport system.

The aim will be to provide reassurance to passengers and the public, as well as to cut crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour connected with the borough's public transport.

After being launched in Bexley last week, the Safer Transport teams will be rolled out across London by the summer.

At the launch, Mr Livingstone said: "Crime is falling in Bexley, thanks to the hard work of police and communities, but there is no possibility we will let up in the fight to make public spaces as safe as possible."

Sir Ian said he was confident the teams would have the same positive impact for people living close to and using public transport, as the safer neighbourhoods policing teams have had for the community in general.

Also out in the Broadway was the British Transport Police's Chief Constable Ian Johnston and David Brown, Transport for London's managing director of surface transport.

Mr Johnston said the new team would help police the large numbers of schoolchildren who converge on places such as Bexleyheath Broadway at the end of the school day.

He said: "We know how, as well as being especially vulnerable to crime, large numbers of young people travelling in groups can be intimidating for other passengers."