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Travel and transport

Travel and transport

Rail passenger safety

Some people feel unsafe on crowded trains or travelling late at night when stations may not be staffed. The tips and information in this section are designed to help you complete your journey safely and with a sense of security. Find out how.

Personal security

When travelling alone:

  • keep an eye on your bags
  • don't put your wallet in your back pocket
  • if you are a visitor to the area, try to keep your camera and map out of sight as much as possible

If you are travelling late at night:

  • check timetables to limit your waiting time
  • keep looking around you to make yourself less of a target for thieves
  • stay in well lit areas
  • arrange to be met at the station if possible

Mobile phone safety

Take a few simple precautions to avoid having your mobile phone stolen. You can also make your phone difficult to use if it is stolen:

  • avoid talking on your mobile while walking
  • before taking out your mobile, check to see who is around and position yourself in a way that will make it difficult for thieves to approach you
  • try to be where a CCTV can see you
  • record the details of your mobile (its reference number and PIN)
  • always use the keypad lock function
  • register your mobile with the service provider
  • report a theft to the police and to your mobile service provider as soon as possible

The Secure Stations Scheme

This scheme offers an incentive to station operators to improve security and provide reassurance to passengers and staff. It covers all rail and underground networks that are served by the British Transport Police.

Secure Stations Scheme accredited stations will have some, if not all, of the following features:

  • anti-graffiti paint
  • CCTV
  • good lighting
  • a clear layout
  • clearly marked entrances and exits
  • clearly displayed signs, maps and timetables
  • passenger help points
  • properly trained staff

They should also respond to incidents and communicate effectively with passengers, and encourage passengers to report crime.

What you can do about crime on the railways

The British Transport Police (BTP) is the national police force for railways, providing a service to rail operators, their staff and passengers throughout Britain.

In London the BTP also polices the Underground, Docklands Light Railways and Croydon Tramlink.

If you witness or are a victim of crime, you can call the British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40. In an emergency call  999. More information about the policing of train stations can be found on the British Transport Police website.

Anti-Social Behaviour Orders are also now in place and are being used to tackle persistent problems such as:

  • ticket touts
  • pickpockets
  • beggars
  • graffiti vandals

Investigating rail accidents

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) is responsible for investigating accidents or incidents on UK railways. It is an independent body that investigates to improve safety, not to establish blame. The RAIB must by law investigate all rail accidents involving a derailment or collision which resulted in, or could have resulted in:

  • the death of at least one person
  • serious injury to five or more people
  • extensive damage to rolling stock, the infrastructure or the environment

The RAIB may also investigate other incidents that could affect railway safety, including those which under slightly different circumstances could have led to an accident.

The RAIB website shows the findings from accident investigations.

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