Training operator Southern’s new Safer Travel Team has been cracking down on level crossing abuse on the West Coastway.
Southern Revenue Protection Officers, British Transport Police, Sussex Police, Chichester District Council and Southern’s Safer Travel Team all worked together on Operation Petra at Southbourne, Chichester, Barnham and Angmering stations on Friday – with impressive results.
Operation Petra was designed to stop fare evasion where there are level crossings close to stations.
During the course of the day, the team issued 33 penalty fares, 9 prosecution notices for fare evasion, gave 21 warnings for anti-social behaviour and charged 3 people for jumping over level crossings.
Commenting on the operation, Southern’s Head of Security and Revenue Protection, Martin Grier said: “I am delighted with the result of the Safer Travel Team’s first large scale operation. These figures show that the team has already had an immediate effect since it was launched a couple of weeks ago. I hope our passengers will see that we are serious about protecting them from nuisance crime on the Southern network and that we will not stop in our quest to stamp out ticketless travel.”
British Transport Police (BTP) teamed up with Southern to launch a new team of officers to crack down on antisocial behaviour and low-level disorder on trains and at stations across the South.
Four teams of Railway Neighbourhood Officers (RNOs) – specialist, accredited rail staff – will work side-by-side with BTP officers to reduce crime and the fear of crime at dedicated stations on the Southern network.
The teams, known as Safer Travel Teams are comprise a total of 30 accredited RNOs, based in Purley, Croydon, and Hove, Sussex.
Each team will work alongside a BTP police constable, overseen by an area Sergeant and overall Inspector.
Each RNO has passed a rigorous ‘accreditation’ course, endorsed by the Association of Chief Police Officers, which means they are given a range of additional powers including:
• Issuing BTP penalty notices for offences such as trespass and graffiti;
• The power to seize alcohol from underage drinkers
• Dealing with anti-social behaviour
BTP Chief Superintendent Steve Morgan and Southern’s Managing Director, Chris Burchell visited Purley and Hove stations on Friday 16 April, to officially launch the new teams.
Ch Supt Morgan said the teams would be a valuable addition to the existing policing presence on the Southern Network:
"This scheme is a fantastic enhancement of BTP’s policing presence on the railway and will provide further reassurance for passengers.
“While we already have officers based in Croydon and Brighton who tackle crime and passenger safety issues on trains and stations across the Southern network, these additional teams will act as a reassuring presence patrolling the line from London, down to Brighton and along the south coast.
“The team will be tasked on a daily basis to patrol hotspot locations where anti-social behaviour and low-level disorder is reported and they will also be supported by other officers and specialist resources such as drugs dogs when required.”
"By having specific teams targeting dedicated lines of route, passengers can be assured of seeing a higher visibility presence across the Southern network, which we believe will make great inroads in further reducing crime."
Southern’s Managing Director, Chris Burchell said “The RNO’s will provide a more visible, professional and reassuring presence on our trains and at our stations. They will ensure that our passengers and staff can travel and work feeling safer and more secure on our network.”
Any comment on this article? Email us at [email protected]
