The Railway Safety Accreditation Scheme was introduced under Section 41 of the Police Reform Act 2002, with the stated aim of improving railway safety and security. Accreditation is only awarded to companies that can demonstrate they can adhere to strict standards and that the company’s management is fully accountable if these standards are not met. These standards include a Code of Conduct for employees, rigorous staff training, a formal complaints procedure (which is open to the public) and a commitment to monitor and deal promptly with any complaints.
This new accreditation formalises the existing relationship between G4S Security Services (UK) and the BTP. It provides additional police powers for G4S officers to deal with anti-social behaviour, nuisance offences and minor disorders. It will lead to an increase in uniformed security presence on the rail network.
Douglas Greenwell (director of sales and marketing at G4S) said: “We are delighted to have been granted this accreditation by the BTP, with whom we already enjoy a close working relationship. The demands on the police are such that they sometimes need our assistance to deter and handle low-level offences. Over the past three years railway security has come under increased scrutiny, and the BTP has to work hard to assure passengers that the rail network is safe and secure. We believe that rail operators need to do more to ensure that they make sufficient investment in an integrated security solution. Private security firms can play their part by assisting rail operators with revenue protection and risk assessments, and by acting as a physical deterrent to potential offenders.”
Speaking about the accreditation, Ian Johnston (chief constable of the BTP and a member of SMT’s Editorial Advisory Board) said: “We are delighted to award G4S Security Services (UK) British Transport Police Railway Safety Accreditation. The presence of security staff alongside police officers and Police Community Support workers is an essential part of the ‘security and safety mix’ on the rail network. As a police force, our priority is to ensure that peoples’ experience of the railway is one not only free from crime but also free from the fear of crime. Unfortunately, some trains and stations can attract low-level disorder and anti-social behaviour. A trained, uniformed security presence can assist us greatly in deterring such behaviour, while also providing a reassuring presence for passengers.
Research conducted last year by G4S Security Services (UK) revealed that 76 percent of the UK’s adult populace (circa 29 million) would feel safer when travelling by train or tube if there was a uniformed security presence. Employing a highly visible uniformed security presence can help rail operators reduce assaults on passengers and staff, and eliminate criminal damage and vandalism.