Video Rail staff issued with body cameras to record assaults

Adlington · 4 Feb 2019

Rail staff are being issued with body-worn cameras in a bid to cut the amount of abuse they're having to face. The cameras can record an incident and be used as evidence against the attacker. Some staff say they've switched jobs after being attacked, which they describe as "part of daily life".

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RailUK Forums

Clip · 4 Feb 2019

Its more amazing that its taken this long for them to be rolled out given how good the quality can be with small cameras and has been the case for a good few years now.

Always problems on the Kent lines no matter whether its london medway or thanet and has been that way for decades

Robsignals · 5 Feb 2019

I think the media carry some responsibility for their relentlessly negative reporting of rail turning staff into "legitimate targets" in the publics mind. I've emailed South East Today on this but don't expect a meaningful response.

NoOnesFool · 5 Feb 2019

Clip said:
Its more amazing that its taken this long for them to be rolled out given how good the quality can be with small cameras and has been the case for a good few years now.

Always problems on the Kent lines no matter whether its london medway or thanet and has been that way for decades

East Midlands Trains' Revenue Protection Officers have had them for a number of years now. I do believe that all staff who are Railway Safety Accreditation Scheme qualified are issued them.

theironroad · 5 Feb 2019

As a shortcut, the opening post and news story link is an excerpt from the BBC's : 'Inside Out South East ' from 4/2 and is on iPlayer.

RPI · 5 Feb 2019

GWR RPI'S have had video cameras s8nce September 2015, I've noticed a drop in abuse since wearing one and also a drop in unfounded complaints too

Roger100 · 5 Feb 2019

The staff who travel between York and Sunderland to police the Grand Central 'dry' trains also wear video gear.

Modron · 5 Feb 2019

If only people could behave, eh?

I've witnessed a few idiots attempting to assault staff on TfW trains between Pontypridd and Merthyr Tydfil, in the past, because they consider them not being allowed to openly swig from a can of Fosters or Special Brew as an aberration.

The only problem then is that HM Courts give them a slap on the wrist and ask them to be good little boys and girls.

TheEdge · 6 Feb 2019

Robsignals said:
I think the media carry some responsibility for their relentlessly negative reporting of rail turning staff into "legitimate targets" in the publics mind. I've emailed South East Today on this but don't expect a meaningful response.

Exactly my thoughts. The BBC will happily carry this about how bad it is for rail staff, but only a few weeks ago there is article after article on fares and how awful and expensive UK railways are. And it'll be the RPIs, gatelines, conductors who become the targets.

Adlington · 6 Feb 2019

Robsignals said:
I think the media carry some responsibility for their relentlessly negative reporting of rail turning staff into "legitimate targets" in the publics mind.

Sure. Media reports of long NHS waiting lists, underperforming schools, welfare officers delaying/denying benefits turn doctors, nurses, receptionists, teachers, welfare officers into "legitimate targets", don't they?
My train is delayed again - hit the guard and blame the BBC...

jon0844 · 6 Feb 2019

Great Northern staff will have them very soon, and I assume Thameslink too.

Bantamzen · 6 Feb 2019

Adlington said:
Sure. Media reports of long NHS waiting lists, underperforming schools, welfare officers delaying/denying benefits turn doctors, nurses, receptionists, teachers, welfare officers into "legitimate targets", don't they?
My train is delayed again - hit the guard and blame the BBC...

Many of those professions face regular threats of, and actual violence too, and often because of preconceptions that the media have helped fuel. I know quite a few people who work in welfare & health particularly, and this is an all too regular theme.

underbank · 6 Feb 2019

That's fine as long as members of the public are allowed to wear recording devices too!

Adlington · 6 Feb 2019

Bantamzen said:
Many of those professions face regular threats of, and actual violence too, and often because of preconceptions that the media have helped fuel.

Preconceptions or facts...

al78 · 6 Feb 2019

underbank said:
That's fine as long as members of the public are allowed to wear recording devices too!

What, you mean like head cams worn by some cyclists to be used as evidence when reporting dangerous driving, or dash-cams some motorists use for a similar reason?

Adlington · 6 Feb 2019

underbank said:
That's fine as long as members of the public are allowed to wear recording devices too!

Is there any law against it?

Bantamzen · 6 Feb 2019

Adlington said:
Preconceptions or facts...

Facts, real people being attacked at their places of work because their attacker was angry about something they had seen on the news, in newspapers or social media. Like I say, I know lots of people in these professions and I am aware personally of quite a few such attacks. I'm sure the same is true on the railways.

Class 466 · 6 Feb 2019

underbank said:
That's fine as long as members of the public are allowed to wear recording devices too!

Worth noting these cameras aren't active all the time - and only when the member of staff feels that it's necessary.

Adlington · 6 Feb 2019

Bantamzen said:
Facts, real people being attacked at their places of work because their attacker was angry about something they had seen on the news, in newspapers or social media.

There are enough complaints about busybody ticket inspectors, incompetent booking office clerks &c in this forum that I feel really worked up and ready to have a go at somebody the next time I have an opportunity.... I'll blame it on the media

Bantamzen · 6 Feb 2019

Adlington said:
There are enough complaints about busybody ticket inspectors, incompetent booking office clerks &c in this forum that I feel really worked up and ready to have a go at somebody the next time I have an opportunity.... I'll blame it on the media

Its up to you as to whether you believe the media can, or cannot have an influence, but it is real. Many people's perceptions of the world come almost entirely from their chosen, and sometimes very limited media sources. But like I say, its up to you to make your own judgement, although sadly that will not stop people getting attacked.

DarloRich · 6 Feb 2019

the state of this thread! This is a good initiative to try and help railway staff not get assaulted at work and hopefully provide evidence that will convict people who do assault them. End of discussion

jon0844 · 6 Feb 2019

underbank said:
That's fine as long as members of the public are allowed to wear recording devices too!

Who is stopping them? YouTube is full of video from members of the public. Often very selectively edited, but there nonetheless.

jon0844 · 6 Feb 2019

Class 466 said:
Worth noting these cameras aren't active all the time - and only when the member of staff feels that it's necessary.

Yes, just like a dash cam. Records constantly then you press a button to save footage from then on and a little period behind (15 or 30 seconds?).

underbank · 6 Feb 2019

jon0844 said:
Who is stopping them? YouTube is full of video from members of the public. Often very selectively edited, but there nonetheless.

Lots of footage on Youtube also from people in "authority" such as police, station staff, etc., trying to stop people using mobile phones to record fraught exchanges.

jon0844 · 6 Feb 2019

underbank said:
Lots of footage on Youtube also from people in "authority" such as police, station staff, etc., trying to stop people using mobile phones to record fraught exchanges.

Yes, but usually unsuccessful. I've been a victim of that many times over the years. My press pass, which can be checked by police, has got me out of problems before - a luxury that not everyone enjoys.

cf111 · 6 Feb 2019

Some ScotRail guards have been wearing these for a while now.

RailWonderer · 7 Feb 2019

Virgin trains ticket inspectors on the platform at Euston have had them for at least a couple of years.

Video Rail staff issued with body cameras to record assaults

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