Southern's Safer Travel Team impacts on rail travel

The team, comprising Southern's own Rail Neighbourhood Officers (RNO) and British Transport Police (BTP) Officers patrol the Southern network day and night responding to incidents, dealing with low-level crime and taking time to talk with passengers.

Since the launch of the team two months ago, BTP team members have made 52 arrests and issued 33 cautions assisted by RNOs.

The team as a whole has dealt with 14 trespassers, issued 1,677 anti-social behaviour warnings, 516 penalty fares, and 245 prosecution notices for fare evasion.

Martin Grier, Southern's Head of Security and Revenue Protection said:

"This is a remarkable impact considering the short time the team has been in existence. I'm particularly pleased with the number of anti-social behaviour warnings that have been issued.

"Things like feet on seats and loud music on trains are just two of the things that annoy our passengers intensely and the team is on a mission to stamp out this kind of unacceptable behaviour."

In addition to detecting and dealing with minor crime and ticket irregularities, the team always keeps an eye out to ensure passengers stay safe while on the Southern network, and has even persuaded three people from taking their own lives.

A spokesperson for Southern said: "We're not saying crime is rife just that too much crime had gone previously gone undetected."

This includes the discovery of a stash of cannabis, with a street value of approximately 1,000, following a recent search on a Brighton train

Two of Southern's newly recruited RNO's, Jo and James said although its early days for the team the pair are enjoying their new roles and its going well.

Jo said: "The role is developing weekly and it's good to be working with BTP officers '“ it's a dedicated team. We've had a pretty good reaction from the general public. People ask a lot of questions and we say we are there to make them feel safer.

ames added: "Initially there was some confusion from people about what we are doing but once we clarify our roles to them they are quite positive."

There has been a number of violent incidents for the team to contend with, including abusive behaviour reported by conductors in the Bexhill, St Leonards Warrior Square and Hastings area, and a lot of people have been challenged.

Jo said they deal with every circumstance differently:

"We try to build a rapport and make the situation as best as can be."

Hopping on and off trains throughout the Southern network, with walkie talkies to hand and working in conjunction with CCTV centres, the Southern Safer Travel Team are cracking down on regular fare evaders; the cameras also keep an eye on the team so they know are being looked after as well.

Jo said: "We're not just there for the public, we're also there for the staff."

This is something that, according to conductor Greg, working on the Bexhill to Brighton route when Jo and James boarded his train, said he's pleased about.

It was the first time RNO,s visited a train during Greg's shift, he said:

"I think they are a very good idea, and the uniform is nice. Hopefully the RNO's will slow down anti-social behaviour and explain to people what is, and isn't, expected of them on a train.

"I've been with the company for twelve years and have had to endure things like passengers spitting, and swearing. Their presence is a deterrent, I feel more secure and would like to see more of them."

Passengers on Greg's train also gave a positive response to the RNO's.

Sandra from Brighton said:

"I think it's a very good idea '“ anything that makes you feel more confident when you travel is good."

Regular Southern passenger Miguel Gomescomceicao from Portugal said: "I think they do a great job. I've seen so many incidents where youngsters won't give up their seats for the elderly or disabled. I feel safer knowing they (RNO) are around '“ they represent the law."

And carpenter James Freeman from Bexhill said he also thought the team were a "good idea".

Mr Grier added: "The team is not just there to deal with crime. An important part of its role is to reassure passengers by being highly visible and talking with them while they are out on patrol.

"The team is really making a difference out there and we've had a lot of positive feedback from our passengers."