Key Points
- The new Transport Police and Crime Command (TPACC) unit of Greater Manchester has started functioning before its official launch.
- Two people were detained at Manchester Piccadilly Metrolink station on Monday, October 26, 2026.
- TPACC will police all major roads, Metrolink, and bus services in Greater Manchester.
- This unit will start its operation officially on Thursday, October 29, 2026.
- TPACC was first approved by the Mayor, Andy Burnham, and was referred to as the “11th district” of GMP before that.
- The command will be led by Superintendent Carl O’Brien, who said that TPACC will work towards making Greater Manchester transport network “the safest public transport network in the world.”
- The TPACC command will employ overt policing in form of visible presence of officers at the busy interchange hubs across all ten boroughs.
- Facial recognition technology will be used by the TPACC command to spot known offenders and registered sex offenders traveling through this network.
- TPACC will function in coordination with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and the office of Mayor Bev Craig.
Manchester Police (Manchester Mirror) October 28, 2026 — Greater Manchester’s new transport-focused police command has made its first arrests at Manchester Piccadilly, with two people detained by officers monitoring the Metrolink network before the unit’s formal launch.
As reported by the Manchester Evening News, the arrests took place on Monday, October 26, at the Piccadilly tram stop. Two individuals were escorted away in handcuffs by officers from the newly established Transport Police and Crime Command, known as TPACC. The report did not identify those arrested, specify the alleged offences, or confirm whether charges have been brought.
The officers were already active several days before TPACC’s official launch, which is scheduled for Thursday, October 29. The unit has been created to oversee policing across Greater Manchester’s roads, Metrolink system and bus services.
What Is Greater Manchester’s New TPACC Police Team?
TPACC is a dedicated Transport Police and Crime Command team intended to provide a more visible policing presence across the region’s transport network. According to the Manchester Evening News, the command will establish a base in Manchester city centre and work closely with Transport for Greater Manchester and the office of Mayor Bev Craig.
The initiative was first approved by Andy Burnham during his period as Greater Manchester mayor. It had previously been referred to as Greater Manchester Police’s “11th district,” but its introduction was delayed while awaiting approval because of a series of elections.
Officers have now been recruited and have begun patrolling. The command is expected to provide additional dedicated resources for long-standing crime problems, with a particular emphasis on anti-social behaviour and violence against women and girls.
Who Is Leading the New Transport Police Command?
Superintendent Carl O’Brien is leading TPACC. Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, he said: “We want individuals to utilise the network and feel secure.”
He added: “The objective for both chief const and the is to this the safest public transport network globally, and that’s why we are here today.”
The superintendent said the public should expect to see more officers across the network. “What the community will notice is an increase in what I refer to as overt policing,” he said. “You might disembark from a tram at a bustling interchange across all ten boroughs in Greater Manchester and encounter someone like me, dressed in a jacket like this… Or you might see officers in darker attire.”
According to the Manchester Evening News, O’Brien said officers would actively engage with people who “may not be using the network for legitimate purposes.”
Will Facial Recognition Be Used on Manchester Transport?
Yes. Superintendent O’Brien said TPACC’s resources will include facial recognition technology to identify known troublemakers and registered sex offenders using Greater Manchester’s transport network.
The technology will form part of a wider approach that extends beyond increased visibility on buses and trams. The command’s stated purpose is to respond to information from the public and take action where necessary.
When asked whether Manchester could face excessive policing, O’Brien said:
“For me, our role is to serve and protect the public. If individuals come forward with information, we will respond in a fair and firm manner when necessary.”
What Happens Next for TPACC?
The command is due to launch formally on Thursday, October 29, 2026. Its officers are expected to become a regular presence for passengers using Metrolink, buses and other transport services across Greater Manchester.
TPACC’s early activity at Piccadilly suggests the unit has begun operational work before that launch date. The Manchester Evening News reported that the arrests occurred while officers were vigilantly monitoring the Metrolink during a rainy Monday morning commute.
The command’s work will be shaped by its partnership with TfGM and the mayor’s office, as well as its focus on persistent issues affecting passengers, including anti-social behaviour and violence against women and girls.
Background of the Development
Greater Manchester’s transport policing arrangements have developed through a plan initially backed by Andy Burnham, who was mayor when the initiative was approved. The project was previously known as GMP’s “11th district,” reflecting its intended role as a dedicated policing structure for the transport network.
Its rollout was delayed by the need for approval amid a series of elections. With recruitment now complete and officers deployed, TPACC represents the next stage in that plan: a specialist command responsible for roads, Metrolink and bus services across all ten Greater Manchester boroughs.
Prediction: How Will This Affect Manchester Passengers?
For commuters, TPACC is likely to mean a more noticeable police presence at tram stops, bus interchanges and other transport locations. Passengers may see uniformed officers or officers in darker clothing engaging with people at busy locations, particularly where concerns about anti-social behaviour or safety have been raised.
For women and girls who use public transport, the command’s stated focus on violence against women and girls could lead to more targeted patrols and responses to reported incidents. The use of facial recognition may also increase the likelihood that known offenders or registered sex offenders are identified while using the network.
For transport operators and local authorities, the command could provide an additional layer of coordination between GMP, TfGM and the mayor’s office. For the wider public, the practical effect will depend on how consistently TPACC deploys officers across the region and how it balances visible enforcement with its stated commitment to serve and protect passengers.
