November’s print issue covered community safety accreditation, whereby organisations such as councils and contract guarding firms can seek powers short of arrest and including power to issue fines, from police forces. An equivalent scheme is running on the railways.
South Eastern Trains are the first rail operator to launch their accredited Rail Enforcement Officers (REOs), to reduce crime, anti-social behaviour and fare evasion.
An initial deployment of 40 REOs is due to rise to 60 by spring. The officers, says the south London-based rail firm, will provide a high-profile presence, reassuring customers and deterring offenders on trains and stations. They have powers to issue penalty fare notices and on-the-spot fines, and can also use what the firm calls ‘reasonable force’ to eject troublemakers. Their uniforms have a Braille badge to help blind customers identify them, and they are trained in basic signing to communicate with the deaf.
Though REOs are SET staff, British Transport Police (BTP) oversees vetting and training. BTP Chief Constable Ian Johnston said: "South Eastern Trains are to be congratulated on becoming the first train operator to gain Rail Safety Accreditation Scheme status. It is our common goal to have a rail system free of crime and anti-social behaviour. This first accreditation under the Rail Safety Accreditation Scheme is an important milestone and a welcome addition to the extended police family." The train operator covers 178 stations, in south London, Kent and east Sussex. Some of its new trains – the class 375s – have on-board CCTV.
Transport Minister Derek Twigg, said: "Safety and security for rail passengers is a real priority. This is an excellent example of the industry working together to clamp down on crime and anti-social behaviour on the railway."
Michael Holden, Managing Director of South Eastern Trains, said: “Our REOs will reassure legitimate fare-paying customers and will deal effectively with everybody else. They are part of our strategy to regain more control over our railway environment from the minority who would seek to abuse it." The launch was at London Victoria station on November 10.
One of the railway’s most prolific graffiti vandals was sentenced in July at Middlesex Guildhall Crown Court after what the court heard was a 10-year campaign against the railway in south west London.
Robert Lee, 23 of Kennington was sentenced to three and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to nine charges of criminal damage. The jury was also asked to take another 51 offences into consideration. On his release Lee was issued with an ASBO banning him from the railway for five years.
What they say
Commenting on the sentencing Superintendent Mark Newton from the British Transport Police said: "The scourge of graffiti is something that the British Transport Police and our partners in the rail industry are determined to eradicate. This case involved a persistent offender who was captured following a BTP investigation in partnership with Network Rail and train operators. This should be a warning to all those who deface railway property that the BTP and the rail industry are not prepared to tolerate this criminality and we will continue to do all we can to bring you to justice."
Lee was caught following a joint operation between the British Transport Police and Network Rail. He caused £74,000 of damage to Network Rail property by scrawling his ‘tag’ (graffiti signature) across stations, bridges and railway equipment on the route from London Waterloo to Barnes. On many occasions he would have had to trespass onto the railway to reach his target area crossing electrified tracks and scaling walls or fencing.
Network Rail Route Director, David Pape, added: "Graffiti is an anti-social crime that affects both railway passengers and staff. Dealing with graffiti also diverts valuable resources away from improving the railway. Today’s sentence is welcome and we will continue to work with the British Transport Police and the rail industry to do everything we can to catch and bring to justice those responsible for this mindless vandalism."
Network Rail added that it was launching a civil action against Robert Lee to recover the costs of cleaning up and removing his tag from Network Rail property.
