Rail staff could be given police powers
Rail staff could soon be able to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, the Government revealed today.
Transport Minister Kim Howells unveiled plans to allow the British Transport Police to appoint members of staff operating on trains and in railway stations to deal with problems such as trespassing on lines, damaging rolling stock, and dropping litter.
These limited police powers would include the ability to issue fixed-penalty notices, and to enforce laws in respect of the consumption and confiscation of alcohol and of tobacco.
Mr. Howells noted: ‘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.”
He noted that training the appropriate members of staff would be a key issue in ensuring that public confidence was maintained.
Under the proposals up for discussion during the three-month consultation, the transport police would be able to set up a ‘Railway Safety Accreditation Scheme’ that would allow chief constables to accredit certain employees of railway companies with the relevant powers.
Railway unions are likely to raise some concerns about the level of responsibility placed on their members, while police organisations could have concerns about the dilution of their powers, despite the fact that the measures would be likely to free up some of the BTP’s resources.
