Greater Manchester police are pulling out of patrolling the region’s trams, to save £14M. The force will end 15 years of tram patrols when its contact expires in October, leading to fears of a rise in violence against passengers and staff, as well as an increase in vandalism. Trams are considered a grey area because British Transport Police do not consider them to be part of their remit. Twenty-eight officers and four sergeants have been patrolling the network, or responding to crimes on trams, under a special deal. A police spokesman said: ‘The force is committed to ensuring the safety of the public using the transport system, but has limited resources.’