ScotRail Travel Safe officers?

[Scotrail12]

On a train from Gourock to Glasgow at present and there are four people constantly walking through the carriage in high viz purple, branded as 'travel safe officers'.

What is their job and why are they walking through the carriage in a group every couple of minutes? They were doing the same on the outbound leg to Gourock.

 

[Huntergreed]

On a train from Gourock to Glasgow at present and there are four people constantly walking through the carriage in high viz purple, branded as 'travel safe officers'.

What is their job and why are they walking through the carriage in a group every couple of minutes? They were doing the same on the outbound leg to Gourock.

They were employed towards the end of the mask mandate in Scotland to increase the level of compliance I believe.

As the mandate has ended, my guess is they’ll now be enforcing the alcohol ban and monitoring levels of antisocial behaviour, ensuring all passengers are safe whilst travelling.

 

[Scott1]

They have them on a few TOCs now, basically they are security staff. Usually provided by a private security company.

 

[Peter0124]

I've seen them travelling on the Balloch branch. I believe that might be to do with anti social behaviour on that part of line.

 

[TootTootToot]

Currently recruiting for this position so full job description etc is on the attached link

ScotRail

apply.scotrail.co.uk

 

[scotraildriver]

They have them on a few TOCs now, basically they are security staff. Usually provided by a private security company.

They are providing assistance to the guards/ ticket examiners and station staff and generally work in areas known for anti social behaviour. They also help out when large crowds are expected, such as Hampden or the Edinburgh festival. It's been quite a success particularly around the Balloch and Helensburgh branches hence the advert for more. They are full time employees, not provided by a private company. The guards and TEs have very much appreciated the backup as well although sadly one of them was quite seriously assaulted recently.

 

[Glasgowbusguy]

This shows a serious issue in the BTP as the Train operating companies and network rail fund BTP , so the fact that the TOCs feel the need to hire more staff shows how bad the understaffing or poor management of the BTP has become.

 

[fgwrich]

This shows a serious issue in the BTP as the Train operating companies and network rail fund BTP , so the fact that the TOCs feel the need to hire more staff shows how bad the understaffing or poor management of the BTP has become.

Or… it means that the TOCs can provide its own staff, allowing BTP to concentrate on the more serious of crimes, and leave some of the smaller stuff to the travel safe officers. Effectively they do a similar role to a that of a PCSO, which as Scotland doesn’t have any (PCSOs only operate in England and Wales and were created as a result of Section 38 of the Police Reform Act 2002), would tie up a Police Officer for a number of hours when they could be needed elsewhere.

While BTP can’t be everywhere at the same time, it’s a successful partnership that has worked across the South Western for a number of years now, dating back from about half way through the South West Trains era.

 

[AlterEgo]

I hope they’re large and intimidating. Glasgow suburbans can be rather unpleasant trains.

 

[Glasgowbusguy]

Or… it means that the TOCs can provide its own staff, allowing BTP to concentrate on the more serious of crimes, and leave some of the smaller stuff to the travel safe officers. Effectively they do a similar role to a that of a PCSO, which as Scotland doesn’t have any (PCSOs only operate in England and Wales and were created as a result of Section 38 of the Police Reform Act 2002), would tie up a Police Officer for a number of hours when they could be needed elsewhere.

While BTP can’t be everywhere at the same time, it’s a successful partnership that has worked across the South Western for a number of years now, dating back from about half way through the South West Trains era.

Even by that logic they should be provided by BTP. Also the issues on the Glasgow suburban lines is extreme anti social behaviour occasioning Aggravated bodily harm , malicious wounding and grievous bodily harm. Last time I checked these are definitely police matters.