Tackling anti-social behavior on north London rail routes

Govia Thameslink Railway launches plan after 23% rise in verbal attacks on staff and almost 10% increase in physical staff

The rail company which operates routes in north London has announced a crackdown on anti-social behaviour, abuse and disorder on its network.

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) – which runs both Great Northern and Thameslink trains through Enfield, Haringey and Barnet – has announced it is investing £2.5m to help the company tackle abuse and disorder through its new plan of improving antisocial behaviour.

The plan was drawn up following a 23 per cent increase in verbal attacks on staff and a nearly 10 per cent increase in physical attacks on staff on the rail operator’s network in the past year.

Feedback was captured following numerous workshops within the GTR, as well as consultation with other stakeholders including local schools, police forces and unions.

The plan sets out commitments to roll out more than 1,500 video cameras for frontline staff, double the number of travel safety officers across the network, develop an education program for schools, improve training and aftercare so staff feel supported , employment. more staff in the safety division and working more closely with the police and law enforcement teams to remove criminals from the railways.

GTR has already produced Personal Safety and Wellbeing Guides which have been issued to all over 7,000 colleagues. It has also doubled the number of travel safety officers in its network, who are deployed using data-driven intelligence to support British Transport Police (BTP) and other staff on the ground. This targeted approach led to a 13% reduction in staff assaults, according to BTP statistics.

With 80% of staff reports of bullying involving verbal abuse, threatening behavior and rude language, the rail operator is also working with the British Transport Police’s “workplace violence coordination unit” to support colleagues who have suffered any kind of workplace aggression.

It will also introduce 1,542 new BWV cameras to staff to provide better evidence when trying to convict criminals.

Samantha Facey, director of health, safety and security at GTR, said: “The increase in anti-social behavior is being felt across industries and communities nationwide. While we can’t solve the problem on our own, we hope that with increased tools and resources, as well as closer collaboration with other industry partners, we can begin to turn the spotlight on this type of behavior.

“Everyone who travels with us deserves to get home safely and our colleagues deserve to be treated with respect; physical or verbal abuse of any kind will not be tolerated. Our plan to improve anti-social behavior not only demonstrates that we are serious about tackling this problem, but we are also seeing positive results since its launch.”

BTP Chief Superintendent Chris Casey added: “We are focused on ensuring that stations and trains remain a safe and enjoyable environment for the traveling public and rail staff. We will continue to work closely with our partners in the rail industry and local communities to tackle and prevent anti-social behavior and to pursue those who threaten and abuse others on the rail network.

“We understand how intimidating anti-social behavior can be and anyone who witnesses or experiences anti-social behavior can discreetly contact our text-to-report number 61016 to report the incident without alerting anyone else.”

Independent news outlets like ours – which report for the community without wealthy backers – are under threat of closure, turning Britain’s cities into news deserts.

The public they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

In celebration of him India News WeekThe Public Interest News Foundation’s Indie News Fund will match the fund for all donations, including new annual supporter subscriptions for the month of June.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, annual or one-time donation.

Choose the news. Don’t miss the news.

Direct monthly debit

Annual direct debit

£5 a month backers get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 a month backers get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted each month. Annual £50 backers get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else. Annual £84 backers get a hard copy by post and a digital copy of each month before anyone else.

More information about supporting us monthly

More information about donations