In an effort to tackle antisocial behaviour on the railway and improve the safety and security of customers and staff, Southeastern, Network Rail, and the British Transport Police (BTP) are working together to achieve a common goal.
The three organisations have signed up to a joint plan where they will pool their resources to target and tackle the increasing number of assaults on staff, as well as incidents of trespassing that can result in delays to thousands of passengers. The agreement is the first by any UK train operator in their drive to improve safety and security.
Signing the agreement on behalf of the sponsors were Southeastern's Managing Director Steve White, Network Rail ‘ Route Director for Kent, David Davidson and British Transport Police Chief Superintendent, Chris Casey.
The relationship between the three organisations is based on mutual trust, respect, and a shared determination to make a difference, and the agreement sets out the joint plans in eight categories:
- Workplace Violence;
- Anti-Social Behaviour;
- Trespass;
- Graffiti;
- Safeguarding;
- Suicide reduction;
- Counter terrorism and critical/major incident preparedness;
- Collaborative resource optimisation.
Southeastern staff are now wearing body worn cameras that can provide bot the company and BTP with the additional evidence needed to prosecute offenders. In its effort to reduce anti-social behaviour, Southeastern has employed extra security trained staff at specific hotspots to complement its Railway Enforcement Officer team, which has reduced the numbers travelling without a ticket from nearly seven per cent to under three per cent.
Steve White, Managing Director, Southeastern Railway said: “I'm incredibly proud to be the first train operator in the country to have our commitment to safety and security formalised in this agreement, as part of our drive for a better, more reliable and sustainable railway.
“While the vast majority of our customers can and do use our railway safely, there's a small but growing minority who don't, and we won't tolerate any abuse on our network towards our people or our passengers.
“We've already got a very positive and close working relationship with Network Rail and the British Transport Police, but this agreement enables us to work more effectively as one team.”
David Davidson, Network Rail's Kent route director, said: “I'm delighted to have signed this tripartite agreement alongside our partners Southeastern and the British Transport Police.
“We are committed to running a reliable and punctual railway but also a safe railway for our customers and colleagues alike.
“Through even greater collaboration and sharing of information we are dedicated to really tackling reducing workplace violence, anti-social behaviour, graffiti and trespass, while improving safeguarding and working together to reduce suicide.”
Chief Superintendent Chris Casey, for the British Transport Police, said: “Were extremely pleased to have signed this agreement, committing us to work even closer with our partners on our shared mission to ensure a safe and reliable railway.
“We're dedicated to fostering trust and confidence among passengers and our partners and creating a hostile environment for criminal activities.”
Ticketless travel 3%? Overall maybe but far higher on the Kent Coast where no-one ever bothers to check tickets after about 1700..The railway operates as part of the Social Services with open unstaffed stations and swarms of anti-social teenagers travelling for nothing. Still, the Government takes the money for fares so why should a rail company worry about collecting it? Also booking offices, like that at Herne Bay are always closed.