British Transport Police (BTP) is embarking on a week-long operation dealing with the causes and effects of antisocial behaviour.
As part of efforts to drive down crime on Welsh railways, officers will be out and about on high-visibility patrols – especially late at night – to provide reassurance to passengers and rail staff.
There will also be a focus on community engagement, with Community Support Officers – including officers funded by the Welsh Government – taking part in a number of initiatives.
The campaign, which launches today, is being run to coincide with the first major school holidays of the year.
BTP’s Sector Commander for Wales, Chief Inspector Sandra England, said: “With the onset of lighter nights, Easter is a time when, traditionally, incidents of anti-social behaviour, trespassing and vandalism increase.
“This is why we are working in partnership with Network Rail, the Train Operating Companies and the four Welsh police forces to tackle these issues during the school holidays.
“We will have officers out on high-visibility patrols, on trains and at stations. Although the operation will run throughout the week, we will be paying particular attention to late-night services.
“This is not about enforcement, it’s about education and preventing anti-social behaviour. It is also about understanding why people get involved in anti-social behaviour and trying to divert them away from criminality.”
BTPs Neighbourhood Policing Teams will be playing a key role in the campaign, working with young people to promote railway safety and making them aware of the very real consequences of trespass and anti-social behaviour.
In addition to patrolling trains and stations, Community Support Officers will also be:
- Teaming up with the Welsh Rugby Union and South Wales Fire and Rescue Service as part of a training day in Bargoed, providing a rail safety input to the young people taking part
- Participating in a StreetGames event in Ystrad Mynach
- Carrying out a doorstep survey at houses in Llanbradach, gathering information about how anti-social behaviour affects those who use and live near the rail network
- Visiting youth offending teams to discuss antisocial behaviour and tackle issues at the root of offending
- Hosting an engagement through sport rail safety campaign in Rhondda Cynon Taff
- Conducting a joint initiative with South Wales Police at Cardiff’s Central Square targeting street drinkers and beggars
“Antisocial behaviour on the rail network is absolutely unacceptable and makes people feel uncomfortable and unsafe in what is otherwise a very safe environment,” said CI England.
“In addition to extra patrols and increased visibility on trains and at stations over the course of the week, the campaign is also aimed at encouraging more people to report anti-social behaviour.
“If people don’t feel comfortable reporting anti-social behaviour over the phone – we appreciate some people may find it intimidating reporting incidents on a busy carriage with others listening – they can quickly and discreetly bring issues to our attention by texting us.”