Department for Transport

New measures to tackle crime and nuisance on the railways
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date 4 Aug 2003 00:00
source Department for Transport
type Press release

Railway staff come a step closer to tackling crime and antisocial behaviour at railway stations and on trains under new plans unveiled by Transport Minister Kim Howells.

Under the proposals, the British Transport Police would be able to accredit certain skilled and trained employees of railway companies, including station staff, with limited police powers to deal immediately with specific offences and public nuisances on the railways.

The new powers would allow the selected staff:

- to issue fixed penalty notices for offences of:

cycling on a footway,

dog fouling,

dropping litter,

trespassing on a railway, and

throwing stones or other things at trains.

- to require the name and address of a person acting in an anti-social manner.

- to enforce laws in respect of the consumption and confiscation of alcohol and confiscation of tobacco.

- to require the removal of abandoned vehicles.

Transport Minister Kim Howells said:

"We are all aware that the activities of a few inconsiderate people disturb the journeys of many people. The new measures that we are proposing today will give people at the front line of our rail services the powers they need to deal swiftly and effectively with crime and antisocial behaviour.

"I believe that by training key staff, we can greatly reduce the inconvenience that some people's behaviour causes, and free up some of the valuable resources of the British Transport Police."

Notes to editors

1. The proposals will allow the British Transport Police to establish a 'Railway Safety Accreditation Scheme' that will enable the Chief Constable to accredit certain employees of railway companies with limited police powers. The scheme is closely based on the provisions for 'Community Safety Accreditation Schemes' for local police forces that were brought forward by the Police Reform Act 2002.

2. The consultation and draft regulations are available on the Department for Transport's website - www.dft.gsi.gov.uk

3. The consultation will invite responses from anyone interested in security on the railways, including the rail industry, the Association of Chief Police Officers, the BTP, the Association of Police Authorities and the Local Government Association.

4. The consultation closes on Monday 27 October.

5. These proposals are part of a cross government drive to tackle antisocial behaviour. A radical new agenda to tackle the issue was set out in the Home Office White Paper 'Respect and Responsibility: Taking a stand against antisocial behaviour', published on 13 March 2003.

6. A photograph of Kim Howells with a British Transport Police officer and South West Trains TravelSafe officers is attached.

Public Enquiries: 020 7944 8300
Department for Transport Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk

Railhub Archive ::: 2003-08-04 DfT-001