A NEW deal will guarantee a police presence on the Glasgow Undergroud.

Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) will continue its partnership with British Transport Police (BTP) after signing a three-year £354,590 contract.

Transport bosses said they are keen to keep working to ensure passengers are safe during journeys.

SPT chairman Jim Coleman said: "Passenger safety remains our top priority and I'm delighted our customers will continue to see these dedicated officers on our Subway for the next few years.

"Seeing BTP in stations and on trains on a daily basis has already given our customers added reassurance that it is not only safe to travel underground but that extra help is on hand if they need it."

BTP officers have been working with Subway staff since 2007.

Two dedicated officers patrol the system during operational hours every day to give reassurance to customers and staff.

Mr Coleman added: "These full-time officers are extremely experienced at policing the Subway environment and I'm sure they will continue to be a welcome sight around the system."

Officers patrolling the system carry out the full range of day-to-day policing duties, including maintaining law and order, offering crime prevention advice and monitoring public safety.

An increased number of officers are on patrol on match days and during other large-scale events to help train station staff with queuing and crowd control.

Figures show that since 2007 BTP officers have dealt with on an averge of 70 reported crimes each year.

The highest figure recorded was in 2007, at 89, but this dropped to 54 in 2012.

Last year the Scotland area of the Force recorded 68 crimes.

Police claim these crime figures are low but said it is vital to ensure there is no rise in the number of offences committed.

Temporary Chief Superintendent John McBride of the Scotland area of BTP added: "The Glasgow Subway remains a low-crime environment thanks to the close working relationship between our officers and SPT staff.

"BTP is extremely experienced at policing this environment and our officers bring a wealth of skills to the network and I welcome the continued confidence shown by SPT in BTP."

The renewed deal comes as SPT continues with its £288million upgrade of the Subway network, which will see each station given a makeover.